Lakers Trade Rumors: Updates On Russell Westbrook, First-Round Draft Picks Possibly Being Dealt

The Russell Westbrook trade rumors simply won't go away. The point guard is still with the Los Angeles Lakers for their first preseason game on Monday, but it remains unclear if Westbrook will remain on the roster for the entirety of the 2022-23 NBA season.

It's no secret that the Lakers have tried to trade Westbrook over the last several months. Westbrook's $47.1 million contract and the team's unwillingness to trade both their 2027 and 2029 first-round draft picks have prevented Los Angeles from unloading the veteran.

Does that mean Westbrook is likely to play out his contract in Los Angeles?

The Athletic's Shams Charania reports that the Lakers had serious trade discussions about sending Westbrook to the Indiana Pacers shortly before the start of training camp. In the Pacers' proposed deal, Westbrook and Los Angeles' two future first-round picks would go to Indiana. The Lakers would receive Myles Turner and Buddy Hield in return.

The Lakers ultimately rejected the proposal because a large group of decision-makers was unable to come to a consensus, according to Charania. If the Pacers lower their asking price or if Westbrook plays poorly, however, the possibility of a trade during the season seems to be very much alive.

Los Angeles' decision to form a "Big 3" of Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis sputtered last season. James and Davis were limited to a combined 96 games because of injuries. The Lakers' defense and 3-point shooting suffered after the team sent most of its depth to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Westbrook.

Westbrook averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 78 games. He had the second-most turnovers in the league. Of the 155 players who averaged at least 3.4 3-point attempts per game, Westbrook's 29.8% shooting from behind the arc, ranked fifth-worst.

With the offensive often running through Westbrook, the Lakers finished 22nd in points per possession.

The Lakers were viewed as the favorites to trade for Kyrie Irving when Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets in the summer. Westbrook and at least one first-rounder would've been the centerpiece of a deal, but talks broke down when Brooklyn decided to keep its star players.

In any Westbrook trade, the Lakers would probably have to part with at least one first-round pick. Despite questions about whether or not Los Angeles might trade future picks, Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka has said that the team is ready to give up first-rounders if it means improving their chances of winning a championship.

"One thing that needs to be made clear is a lot of speculation: Will the Lakers trade their picks? Will they not trade their picks?" Pelinka said at media day. "Let me be abundantly clear: We have one of the great players in LeBron James to ever play the game, and he committed to us on a long-term contract, a three-year contract. So of course, we will do everything we can, picks included to make deals to give us a chance to help LeBron get to the end. He committed to our organization. That's gotta be a bilateral commitment, and it's there."

James is under contract for two more seasons with a player option for the 2024-25 season.