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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
HoopsHype

Lakers not using a first-round pick to ship Russell Westbrook out of L.A.

But the Lakers don’t subscribe to that theory. As of now, they have no intention of using a first-round pick to facilitate a Westbrook trade, according to league sources.
Source: Jovan Buha @ The Athletic

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Sam Presti’s Top 12 pick history:
#2: KD
#5: Green*
#4: Westbrook
#3: Harden
#11: Aldrich**
#12: Adams
#11: Sabonis
#6: Giddey
*Green had a better career than every 1st rounder drafted after him besides Noah
**No All Star was drafted after Aldrich
OKC has 2 2022 top 12 picks – 11:38 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
On the growing possibility of the Lakers keeping Russell Westbrook next season, the current demands from rival teams and why running it back would be a grave mistake:
theathletic.com/3324047/2022/0…10:25 AM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
During my Q&A w/ Magic Johnson on his new NFT venture:
–He thinks an ex-player would be best as the Lakers’ next coach;
–His comments on Russell Westbrook seem to reinforce reporting from @Shams Charania & @Sam Amick that the Lakers will likely keep RW: bit.ly/3PEDXgv12:00 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Worst record when scoring 40+ points in playoffs history:
2-6 Luka Doncic
3-4 Russell Westbrook
They are the only players with a losing record (min 5 games). pic.twitter.com/7eIg8zuljq12:08 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Another report Lakers do not plan to waive, send home Westbrook nba.nbcsports.com/2022/05/21/ano…7:01 PM

More on this storyline

Teams have been demanding the inclusion of at least one first-round pick to take on Westbrook’s massive expiring contract, according to league sources. Rival teams know how much of a public trainwreck last season was for the Lakers, and they’re not looking to do Los Angeles any favors by helping them off of Westbrook’s contract. -via The Athletic / May 24, 2022
And it’s not merely a bluff or tactic to try to regain leverage in trade talks. That may be an ancillary motive, sure, but per league sources, there is a sentiment among some within the franchise that the right coach and a better supporting cast could smooth over Westbrook’s awkward fit with James and Davis. -via The Athletic / May 24, 2022

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