After spending the 2020/21 season with the Wizards, Russell Westbrook contemplated his future and found he had a growing desire to join the Lakers, according to Shams Charania and Fred Katz of The Athletic.
Westbrook’s desire to play for his hometown team intensified after he spent time with LeBron James and Anthony Davis at LeBron’s home about two weeks ago and the trio discussed the idea of teaming up, according to Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times. Turner says James and Davis spoke in that conversation about changing positions if it’s best for the team, with LeBron willing to play more frequently at the four, with AD at the five.
Westbrook recently informed the Wizards that he’d like to be dealt to the Lakers if they could find a trade that worked, per Charania and Katz, and the two teams did just that on Thursday, reaching an agreement on a blockbuster deal that will send Westbrook and two future second-round picks to L.A. for Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and No. 22 pick Isaiah Jackson. Washington is flipping Jackson to Indiana in a deal that will involve Aaron Holiday and No. 31 pick Isaiah Todd.
One of the primary reasons Westbrook originally wanted to play in D.C. was the presence of head coach Scott Brooks, according to Charania and Katz, who note that the star point guard lobbied for the Wizards to retain Brooks. After the team decided to part ways with Brooks, Westbrook preferred an established coach, sources tell The Athletic, but Washington opted for a first-timer in Wes Unseld Jr.
Here’s more on the Wizards and how the Westbrook trade affects their offseason:
- Bradley Beal had no issues with the Westbrook deal and hasn’t expressed a desire to leave Washignton, sources tell Charania and Katz. For now, the Wizards remain confident they can keep the All-NBA guard long-term.
- The Athletic’s duo reiterates that Spencer Dinwiddie is a potential Wizards target worth keeping an eye on, though a source tells Charania and Katz that the Nets wouldn’t be inclined to sign off on a sign-and-trade of Dinwiddie for Montrezl Harrell and Kyle Kuzma alone. Dinwiddie is also expected to receive interest from the Nets, Heat, Knicks, and Raptors, among others, per The Athletic.
- Elsewhere on the point guard front, a reunion with Raul Neto is a possibility for the Wizards, sources tell Charania and Katz. The team also agreed to acquire Aaron Holiday, having grown “enamored” with him prior to the 2018 draft. Washington tried to trade for Holiday a year ago, according to The Athletic.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, one of Beal’s closest friends in the NBA, is the type of three-and-D player the Wizards have long sought, Charania and Katz observe.
- Corey Kispert was 10th on the Wizards’ draft board entering Thursday night, and the team considered the possibility of trying to trade up for him before landing him at No. 15, write Charania and Katz.
- The Wizards are preparing for Thomas Bryant to miss the start of the season as he continues to recover from an ACL tear. A source tells The Athletic the club is hoping Bryant will be able to return by December.
Washington putting a lot of pieces that fit with Beal around him last night, as well as addressing an area that has been an issue for them for many years, with defense on the wing
Not sure when Bryant will be back for them, but curious to see if they start using Hachimura at the 5. They do have some remaining moving pieces to potentially address, but their versatility has really increased with the way they changed things up since the trade deadline, and what they did last night
This obviously meant that Chris Paul was intent on staying with the Suns one more year and doing his own thing in leading a young team, rather than teaming up and trying to get a ring. Good for him.
Or he wanted more than what the Lakers wanted to pay him OR the Suns didn’t want to do a sign and trade with the Lakers?
I’m thinking $44m has something to do with it. Paul isn’t likely to get another chance at a ring with the Suns (that perfect storm of opponent injuries isn’t likely to repeat itself) but that would be a lot of money to pass up.
“The NBA Tampering(or anti-tampering) rules suggest that teams, player or coaches cannot approach or lure players on rival teams when they are bound by contracts with their respective teams. This includes publicly stating interest in acquiring the services of the player or by contacting his agent about a possible trade.”
It applies to everyone but James. The article states that Westbrook met with both James & Davis two weeks ago. Personally, I think this trade makes the Lakers weaker. However, there still has to be some sort of repercussion for LeBron’s constant recruiting tactics that fly in the face of the tampering rules.
How can you possibly keep nba players from hanging out, working out or bumping into each other? All are occasions when they are around each other? I mean KCP and Beal are best friends. How do you keep them from taking about playing with each other? How do you keep the back channels from talking?
Of course players would talk
But that was very detailed analysis of that conversation at Lebron s house, if true that is tampering; not just some speculative that would be fun idea.
Right let’s support spying on citizens.
Idiots
Sounds like Beal is happy in Washington to get rid of Westbrook. I heard other team mates from teams he has been on they didn’t like him very much. Now just wait and see how long LeBron gets tired of Westbrook. He better help them win or LeBron will tell the GM to flip him.
Lol just bc u hate Russ doesn’t mean everybody does
He had more triple-doubles last season than the Wizards had wins. Westbrook is the textbook definition of a stat-stuffer. What’s to like?
He carried them at the end of the season. His triple doubles in OKC did lead to wins. I dont know when this narrative formed, but its dumb. Put shooting around him, and he should be great…that being said, the Lakers need to add shooting, and need to address defense on the wing, which was lacking last year, without Danny Green, and now even worse without KCP…
That being said, the idea LeBron and Anthony Davis are finally more willing to play the positions they should have been playing the entire time is definitely a good thing for them…they just really need to address those spots
Westbrook leaves everything out on the floor. Plays with relentless effort. I would go to war with him every day of the week
Westbrook’s own teammates in OKC said they allowed him to get more rebounds in his vain attempt to support his triple-double legacy. Now he is joining his 4th different team in 4 years. Does this sound like the kind of player who cares about whether his current team wins or not?
Ya that sounds like garbage to me. Guards can get more rebounds in the open floor game, and he still grabbed those rebounds these last 2 years…and you can count on 1 hand the number of players that play anywhere as hard as Russell Westbrook has every single night of his career
lol westbrook is washed. did u see the philly series
It’s amazing how much people turn a 5 on 5 game, with 9-11 man rotations, into everything being about individuals
No hate just facts. Watch how your opinion changes when the lakers struggle this year. lakers better win with him or trouble inside the organization will happen.
I been watching Russ play at a HOF level for well over a decade now. You think my opinion of him is gonna change if the Lakers struggle next season lol? This is Russell Westbrook we’re talking about. If u don’t know how great this guy is at basketball by now you’re just not good at watching basketball lol
So you are not a laker fan but a Westbrook fan. Westbrook is a stats man loves filling up the stats. Never said he wasn’t good but will he be a team player? Sometimes you got to step back and let other players get the glory.
I’m not even that huge of a Westbrook fan, I’m just a fan of basketball. The boy is clearly 1 of the best pgs to ever play the game. It’s impossible for me to understand how someone could watch Russ Westbrook for years, dislike watching him play yet still call themselves a basketball fan.
I like Russ and have loved watching him play over the years but he can’t shoot (potentially the worst backcourt shooter in the league) and he’s getting older. He can’t carry a team like he used to but in LA he won’t have to. It’s a good fit for him but I don’t think it’s a gane changer.
Best? You must be young because maybe in the top 20 but not in the top 10. You need to learn not to put emotions in a comment. I never said hate or dislike but you put those comments in.
He’s on his 4th team in four years. The exits/trades have all resulted in negative comments ensuing from his former teams about his attitude
Thing is Wizards made the playoffs last year, and they sure wouldn’t have without Russ.
Low playoff seed in the east is far from an accomplishment, especially when that’s your soft ceiling.
Loving DC’s squad rn. Love it even more if they can add Dinwiddie. Gafford should continue to mature into a big time 5. Isaiah Todd, Rui, Deni, Kuzma or Bertans plus Kispert is a strong forward rotation
LebUm is a straight up chicken. this is now his 3rd superteam
I’m a Clipper fan, not a Laker fan. When I heard they were going to trade Kuzma et al for Buddy Hield, I was worried this would make the Lakers unbeatable. But now that they’ve sent all their tradable assets for Westbrook, I can relax.
Pelinka is a pretty good GM, but he got trumped this time by LeBron, who isn’t. The Lakers have made a classic mistake which will be studied by NBA scholars for many years.
Is Pelinka not the same dude that signed Andre Drummond to bench 1 of the best defenders in the NBA, when they needed wing help b/c they moved Danny Green to sign more bigs they didnt need b/c Anthony Davis didnt want to play the 5?
I generally think Westbrook is a bit of a personal glory over team success guy. However, game recognizes game and I think if Russ understands his situation clearly
– Not getting younger.
– Has recently played for teams going nowhere.
– Has all the personal accolades but not the respect that maybe less talented players have.
If he buys into the LBJ way in front of his hometown then I think he’d temper his style to get the best results for thr sake of the team. They’re all alphas but LBJ has the mental/IQ leadership edge. Russ has the high energy and maybe the moxy to allow LBJ to pace himself at his age.
I agree with this. If RW is ever going to be a key component on a champion, this is the situation. He has a chance to create a new narrative, and have it be the last word. Games don’t match up great, but LBJ might so love playing with a guy who’s own legacy is more on the line than his, it might not matter.
Very mature KFCF. The threat here is the combo of LJ & RW haters on social media, sacrificing thought for emotion, not LJ or RW themselves.
RW is no more a ballhog than Irving and LJ was fine with Irving getting more balltime. He just doesn’t want to be the only threat.
People saying, wait until the W-L comes in, ha. The W-L will be fine. Playoffs, IDK. I think RW can avoid being a weak link on defense, but they may not becas tight.
Well said guys. Funny things happen when a man turns 30 or so. Me it was about 45 LOL. It’s not all about me and sacrificing for the good of others actually works out. I’m not the one who needs to take every shot because I think if I pass it it’s a stupid move cuz that guy will probably miss it. I’m not highly favored if I average 30 points and 10 rebounds and 10 assists. I’m looked favorably upon if my team makes it to the Conference Finals.
I think Westbrook gets it and explained such at the meeting with LeBron and Anthony Davis. They’re going to be fine, they’ll be successful. Kind of like the Durant, Curry thing, you take a back seat at times for the other guy. I believe Westbrook is at that point now.
Westbrook is a warrior who lays it out there every night.I believe he will take tremendous pressure off James and make Davis take his intensity level up a notch each and every game in my opinion.
Westbrick doesn’t get traded (at least not this quickly) if Beal had any issue with it (in that it might push him even slightly toward demanding a trade of his own). Most, me included at this point, that look at WSH think its time to do a gut rebuild. But they think differently. They might at some point decide to go there, but it won’t be brought on by a player other than Beal requesting a trade. Almost certainly, they checked with Beal and he assured them it won’t affect his decision.
Whether you like the Wizards Westbrook or want Beal to stay or go you gotta give Wiz props today for what they did with Wall in 12 months time –
Incredible incredible job , can not be overstated
I like the package they got from Lakers, all 3 are re-flippable if they want later, all 3 can be used in 21, and there’s a touch of upside left in Kuzma as well – Wish Wiz would have kept that 22 and got Garuba tho, woulda been a really good roster fit Imo !