Photo: AFP
All offseason, many Lakers fans were wondering what the status of Russell Westbrook is with the team and where he could possibly be traded to. The trade many were waiting for almost happened according to Shams Charania.
Shams Charania of The Athletic put out an article saying the Los Angeles Lakers kept the door open right up to the start of training camp but didn’t pull the trigger.
Vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka, owner Jeanie Buss and senior basketball adviser Kurt Rambis seriously considered sending Westbrook and unprotected first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 to the Pacers for center Myles Turner and guard Buddy Hield, sources said. They held a series of meetings in the days leading up to camp to analyze the possible Pacers deal from every angle, with the views of Ham and Lakers executives Joey and Jesse Buss also being strongly considered in the process. The organization even delayed the midweek news conference for Pelinka and Ham as the debate continued…
If they were going to gamble on a make-or-break move of this magnitude, the thinking went, then everyone had to have confidence in the same vision. But when that wasn’t the case, sources say, the choice was made by Pelinka to remain patient and see, yet again, if Westbrook might find a way to make this imperfect fit with the Lakers work.
It looks as if the Lakers are set on keeping Russell Westbrook for right now. But as we know in the NBA, things can quickly develop and change.
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