Lakers Won’t Attach Pick To Trade Russell Westbrook To Rockets

The Lakers seem to be fine with keeping point guard Russell Westbrook for the remainder of the season, according to Marc Stein of the Stein Line.

Westbrook recently has been mentioned in trade rumors, specifically those involving Rockets point guard John Wall. Stein first reported the Rockets were open to trading Wall for Westbrook, provided the Lakers also included draft assets in a deal.

But a source told Hoops Wire that such a deal was unlikely, and Stein followed by reporting that LA is unwilling to attach its 2027 first-round pick in order to consummate a trade.

“To be clear: This is not a scenario likely to materialize between now and Feb. 10 or one I would advise the Lakers to pursue so soon even after all of my criticism of the Westbrook trade in the first place,” Stein wrote.

So it appears the Rockets are more likely to seek another trade option ahead of the Feb. 10 deadline, and the Lakers will at least give Westbrook the rest of the year to try to mesh next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Wall, 31, appeared in 40 games last season, his first with the Rockets, averaging 20.6 points and 6.9 assists. Along the way, he proved to be a leader and a true professional in a losing situation. He has not played this season as the Rockets and Wall have been seeking a trade.

Westbrook, 33, was acquired by the Lakers from the Wizards in a multiteam trade this past offseason. He is averaging 18.5 points, 8.0 assists and 7.8 rebounds in 48 games.

Westbrook and Wall were traded for each other in 2020, when Westbrook was with the Rockets and Wall was with the Wizards.