At this point, it seems very unlikely that Russell Westbrook will be a member of the Los Angeles Lakers next season, between his huge contract, on-the-court flaws and his documented attitude problems this season.
Unless LeBron James asks general manager Rob Pelinka to keep Westbrook and vouches for the nine-time All-Star, the Lakers will probably look to make a trade.
As of now, there are legitimate questions about whether Westbrook still has value in the minds of rival executives.
But one team, at least according to a league insider, seems to have interest in him, and a potential trade with that team could net the Lakers two players who will provide instant value.
One of them, in fact, is a player whom the team was reportedly close to trading for last summer, and if Lakers fans had their way, he would be a member of the team right now.
Via The Athletic:
“The Indiana Pacers could emerge as a potential suitor for Westbrook, rival executives believe, but any trade involving the former NBA MVP will be complicated due to his massive salary and the Lakers’ next available first-round draft pick being in 2027, which the franchise will prioritize and thus be prudent in deciding the best route with Westbrook,” wrote Shams Charania.
“The Pacers are building around Tyrese Haliburton, but rival teams expect them to be open to trade conversations around Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield this offseason. Hield has two years and $40.4 million remaining on his deal while Brogdon has three years and nearly $68 million. If Indiana wants to shed future salary, could it view the Lakers and Westbrook’s expiring deal as a match?”