The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly did have the chance to unload Russell Westbrook on trade deadline day, but the reported offer was not to their liking.
The Houston Rockets spoke to the Lakers about swapping John Wall for Westbrook, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. The Rockets, however, wanted the Lakers to include a first-round pick, which was quickly turned down.
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This would have essentially boiled down as a bad contract swap, with the Rockets betting that the Lakers were more determined to get rid of Westbrook. Houston may have had some reason to believe that to be true. Giving up a 2022 first-rounder would have been a risk for Los Angeles, however, as there is a legitimate chance that pick could wind up in the lottery.
Westbrook has not fit in with the Lakers this year, and fans have clearly run out of patience. The lack of moves will only discourage those fans more, but with almost no other assets to sweeten a deal, the choice came down to keeping Westbrook or throwing away a potentially decent draft pick.
Photo: Oct 6, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook prior to the preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
