NBA Rumors: Lakers To Keep Russell Westbrook As Insiders Reveal Truth About 'Season-Changing' Trade

The Los Angeles Lakers could be moving on with familiar faces.

After failing to become one of the top contenders this season, the Lakers evidently have little bargaining chips to use in the trade window. Widespread rumors have linked All-Star guard Russell Westbrook to a massive trade as the deadline approaches. However, ESPN NBA insiders don’t see it happening at the moment.

Instead, they believe L.A. will try and shop journeymen Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, DeAndre Jordan and a first-round pick.

“Boring. Yes, the Lakers will probably make a move or two on the margins -- maybe with Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn and a pick, almost certainly moving someone like [DeAndre] Jordan to save money -- but the idea that some season-changing trade is going to arrive just seems extremely unlikely given the limited trade assets the Lakers have at their disposal,” journalist Tim Bontemps told ESPN.

Bobby Marks, the NBA front office insider for the outlet, echoed Bontemps’ report and said that he doesn’t see any plot for a “roster shake-up” from the Lakers.

“The trades to acquire Anthony Davis in 2019 and [Russell] Westbrook last offseason depleted the Lakers’ first-round picks and tradeable contracts,” Marks said. “I don’t see a roster shake-up.”

Two more names likely to be included in the potential Lakers trade are Kent Bazemore and veteran big man Dwight Howard, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reported.

According to Fischer, the Lakers are “trying” to get the best deal possible out of Horton-Tucker, Nunn, Jordan, a first-round pick, Howard and Bazemore.

“They’re trying,” Fischer said of the Lakers' plan to trade on “The NBA Chats” podcast. “From DeAndre Jordan to Dwight Howard, to the Kent Bazemores of the world, to trying to see what this Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn and first-round pick package can get. I don’t know specific other frameworks that have been thrown out there, but the way it’s been described to me is they’ve just been calling teams and saying, ‘Hey, Talen Horton-Tucker, a first and Kendrick Nunn: What can that get us?’”

Fischer added that Westbrook is likely to stay.

“I think that’s really where they’re at right now,” he continued. “I don’t think they’re going to use that to move Russ [Westbrook]. That’s seemed unlikely all along. They’re using that pick as a way to upgrade, not as a way to get off Russ’ salary.”

Amid the rumors swirling around, an unfazed Westbrook earlier said that he “never” worries about it.