Latest on Russell Westbrook

While the Lakers continue to explore the idea of trading Russell Westbrook, there is no sense that they will send him home if a deal isn’t found.

Per Marc Stein of The Stein Line, two sources indicated the Lakers are trying to deal Westbrook “with even greater conviction” than previous attempts. But the reality is, he very well could still be with the team at the start of training camp.

If that’s the case, expect new coach Darvin Ham to stay true to his comments about finding a real role for Westbrook, helping the veteran guard become a better fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

As a noteworthy aside, James is expected to hold a players-only minicamp ahead of the Lakers’ actual training camp, and Westbrook is expected to attend, Stein reported.

Sources have told Hoops Wire that the Lakers have talked to no less than five teams about a Westbrook trade this offseason, as we relayed here. But they are still clearly reluctant to trade two first-rounders just to move on from Westbrook and his expiring $47.1 million contract.

Recently, LA has been linked to the Pacers and Buddy Hield and Myles Turner, as well as the Knicks and Cam Reddish. They have two first-rounders that fit the criteria of being trade-eligible, in 2027 and ’29.

The Lakers reportedly did not want to move both picks in a deal for Hield and Turner.

That said, despite their fairly desperate attempts to trade Westbrook and his expiring $47.1 million deal, the Lakers are comfortable bringing him back for another run, per Dan Woike of the LA Times.

Westbrook, 33, averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 78 games last season, but proved to be an overall uneven fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis (when healthy).

The Lakers recently acquired Patrick Beverley in a trade with the Jazz, ramping up talk that they are looking to move on from Westbrook.

Jovan Buha of The Athletic recently spoke of the Lakers’ attempts at deal on the HoopsHype podcast.

“I’ve heard the Lakers are still reluctant to include that second first-round pick,” Buha said. “Maybe that’s something that changes closer to training camp. I know It would’ve changed if Kyrie Irving was still available. That would’ve been the one scenario in which the two picks would’ve been on the table. Aside from that, they’re looking at it like, can we do one first-round pick and a couple of seconds or one pick and a protected pick or pick swap?”