The NBA regular season is only days away as teams are putting in their final preparations before the games begin to count. This is the last chance for teams to evaluate what they have and see what they need to be on the search for in the coming months.
The Los Angeles Lakers are a team that is sure to be involved in a ton of rumors between now and the trade deadline. Desperate to bounce back after last season’s disaster, Rob Pelinka will be on the lookout for any upgrades that the team can make.
They were on the lookout for deals to make all off-season but were unable to make that big splash. Patrick Beverley was acquired from the Utah Jazz, which was a good addition, but an elephant remains in the room with Russell Westbrook.
Los Angeles took a big risk acquiring him from the Washington Wizards last offseason and unfortunately it did not pan out. They discussed trades centered around him with numerous teams, but nothing came to fruition.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Russell Westbrook & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Now as we head toward the regular season, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN is reporting that the Lakers will try again to trade him.
“The Lakers at some point here will start engaging teams again on possible Russell Westbrook trades.”
Pelinka had said during the offseason that he wouldn’t be afraid to carry Westbrook on the roster and wait things out, even if it meant exhibiting patience until February. The team needs upgrades and he will begin making calls again very soon.
“[The Lakers] would like to go out and improve this team certainly before the trade deadline. I think you can expect them to start canvassing again at some point once the regular season starts.”
The Lakers were engaged in discussions with teams to varying degrees. The Brooklyn Nets are who they wanted to make a deal with as it would have resulted in Kyrie Irving coming to Los Angeles.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Russell Westbrook & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz were teams that the Lakers also reached out to at some point during the offseason. Negotiations with the Pacers and Spurs could restart, but the talks with the Jazz are likely dead with Bojan Bogdanovic being traded to the Detroit Pistons.
