LA Lakers Rumors Roundup: Lakers to explore Russell Westbrook trade again, Draymond Green using Lakers as leverage for new contract and more | October 15, 2022
The LA Lakers tried to trade Russell Westbrook in the offseason, but general manager Rob Pelinka decided to see how he plays under Darvin Ham. However, the latest rumors suggest that the Lakers will explore trading Westbrook once again once the regular season starts.
Meanwhile, Draymond Green is reportedly using the Lakers as leverage for a new contract. Green is eligible to sign an extension with the Golden State Warriors, but his altercation with Jordan Poole could have thrown that out the window. He can opt out next offseason and possibly sign with a different team.
Here is the latest LA Lakers rumors roundup for Oct. 15 brought to you by Sportskeeda.
LA Lakers to explore Russell Westbrook trade again
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the LA Lakers will explore a Russell Westbrook trade once the regular season starts. Wojnarowski pointed it out on a recent episode of ESPN's "NBA Today":
"The Lakers at some point here will start engaging teams again on possible Russell Westbrook trades. They paused it essentially at the start of training camp.
"And I think typically most teams, it gets a little quiet here as teams are putting their rosters together, making their cuts. And then seeing what it looks like playing preseason games."
He added:
"The Lakers, still armed with those two first-round picks. Future first-round picks and Westbrookâs expiring contract, would like to go out and improve this team certainly before the trade deadline. I think you can expect them to start canvassing again at some point once the regular season starts."
Draymond Green using LA Lakers as leverage for new contract
Draymond Green's altercation with Jordan Poole has engulfed the NBA in the past 10 days. Green's future with the Golden State Warriors is now in question, especially if he decides to opt out of his contract next season. He's already been linked with teams such as the LA Lakers, Detroit Pistons and Dallas Mavericks.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, people within the Warriors are not concerned with Green being linked to the Lakers. Scotto noted that the former Defensive Player of the Year is using the Lakers as leverage for a new contract.
"Some in the Warriors' organization I've spoken to aren't concerned about it," Scotto said. "There's a belief from some around the league it could be a negotiating tactic to get more money in extension talks with the Warriors.
"And maybe LeBron is trying to weaken the competition in the West. The Lakers have always been connected to star players like Draymond and Kyrie Irving, looking ahead to next summer's offseason."
Will Russell Westbrook come off the bench in the regular season?
For the first time since 2008, Russell Westbrook came off the bench on Friday against the Sacramento Kings. Westbrook's stint as the LA Lakers' sixth man didn't last as he suffered a hamstring injury early in the game. With Opening Night just a few days away, coach Darvin Ham has a big decision to make.
It's possible that Westbrook could start for the Lakers, but bringing him off the bench is not a bad idea. If the former MVP can wreak havoc as part of the second unit and it leads to wins, it's best for the team. It will be a wait-and-see approach for the Lakers, especially with his injury.
"The door is not closed on Russ starting," Ham said. "The door is not closed on if this works. We gotta explore it even further. It's totally a strategic move."