Everyone has known for a while that the Los Angeles Lakers have been trying to trade Russell Westbrook and move on from him.
But the feeling isn’t mutual.
Westbrook, a native of the Southland, has been trying to build a strong, positive relationship with new head coach Darvin Ham, who has said some complimentary things about the former league MVP.
He is still a very good player, but he is a tough fit on just about every team, especially one such as the Lakers, where he is only the third-best player.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN has reported that Westbrook wants to be in a situation where he will be a positive asset.
Via Lakers Daily:
“ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that Westbrook has a desire to be ‘wanted.'”
Woj: "[Russell Westbrook] wants to be wanted… He wants to have success in LA."#NBATwitter #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/qtJFjc9gUu
— 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣’ 𝙉𝘽𝘼 (@_Talkin_NBA) July 18, 2022
The biggest thing complicating L.A.’s efforts to deal Westbrook is the fact that any other team it negotiates with is demanding additional compensation, such as one or two future first-round draft picks. The Lakers are reportedly reluctant to give up such capital.
