The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off one of their most disappointing seasons in recent memory.
After entering the year with title aspirations, they failed to even make the playoffs.
Changes must be made. And according to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, they are on the way.
During a recent appearance on ‘Get Up’ Wojnarowski laid out L.A.’s plan going forward:
“I think the Lakers will make a deal, maybe more than one deal,” he said.
“It may not be for Kyrie Irving, it may not be for an All-NBA player, an All-Star… It’s not completely dead with Brooklyn… I don’t think the Lakers are done.”
Wojnarowski also expounded on what precisely Russell Westbrook, a frequent topic of trade conversations, is looking for at the moment.
“In my conversations with Russell Westbrook in this offseason, I think as much as anything, he wants to be wanted,” he said.
“So I think Russell Westbrook… he wants to have success in LA,” Wojnarowski continued. “This is his fourth team in four years… he doesn’t want to bounce around every year.”
All of this aligns with previous reports on the Lakers’ plans. Yes, Irving has been their Plan A. But two players have consistently served as an impediment to that trade occurring.
Meanwhile, Westbrook is a disaster for the team and needs to go. Rookies around the league are openly roasting him. He has a bad attitude that has turned off coaches and teammates alike. He is long past his expiration date as a member of the purple and gold.
The Lakers’ last trade offer to the Brooklyn Nets for Irving spoke for itself. There is a good chance that trade won’t happen.
That said, L.A. has consistently had a Plan B for precisely this scenario. In early July two sharpshooters emerged as the team’s backup option in case Westbrook-for-Irving didn’t materialize.
It feels like Lakers brass is now committed to at least doing something of that nature, even if Irving is no longer a likely option.
Travis Kelce appears to be in a position battle. https://t.co/Kr9E6PU50H
— Game 7 (@game7__) July 18, 2022
Clearly Rob Pelinka and Co. are plotting to do something before the start of next season. Going into 2022-23 with the same roster that failed in 2021-22 is a non-starter.
Who will the Lakers ultimately be able to get for Westbrook when it’s all said and done?
Time will tell.
Related: James Harden Gets Honest About Joel Embiid Relationship
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
