The arrival of Russell Westbrook to the Lakers this past offseason was a source of high hopes for the team and its fans alike.
However, as the season progressed it was replaced by disappointment to the point that the possibility of Russ getting traded before the trade deadline was widely circulating in the media.
Had the Lakers wanted to Westbrook, the only viable option was for him to be sent to Houston for John Wall who has not played a single game this season after not agreeing with the team on his role.
According to Bill Oram of The Athletic, the Lakers viewed Wall as having the same on-court issues with LeBron James as Westbrook, and that it wouldn’t solve enough of those issues.
In addition Los Angeles were not prepared to send the 2027 first round pick that the Rockets required.
