Russell Westbrook-John Wall Trade Highly Unlikely, Source Says

While the trade rumors centered on Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook and Rockets point guard John Wall are making the rounds, one league source told Hoops Wire not to plan on it actually happening.

The Lakers just don’t have the additional assets needed to move Westbrook ahead of the trade deadline, the source predicted.

Apparently, the Rockets are open to trading Wall to LA for Westbrook if the Lakers could also offer draft capital, as reported by Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

But that is something the Lakers just don’t have after already sending out multiple picks to multiple places for multiple “win-now” players.

Even Stein noted that a Wall-Westbrook scenario is unlikely. Or at least too soon to take seriously.

“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.

Bottom line: The Rockets are more likely to seek another trade option and the Lakers are really gonna struggle in their attempts to move Westbrook.

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.

Meanwhile, Westbrook has proven to be a clunky fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis (when healthy), as the Lakers have experienced a fairly uneven season. Coach Frank Vogel did not play Westbrook in the final 3:52 of LA’s loss to the Pacers last week.

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 46 games.

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