Report: LeBron James, 'Every Member' of Lakers Admits to Misjudging Westbrook Trade
January 9, 2024
The Los Angeles Lakers' transactions over the last couple of years have been a mixed bag, and they reportedly regret a move they made before the 2021-22 season.
According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, sources said that "every member of the organization involved in the Russell Westbrook trade—including [LeBron James]—will admit they misjudged it, owning part of the blame."
The Lakers had acquired Westbrook from the Washington Wizards ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, but he never formed the proper chemistry with James and Anthony Davis needed for the team to be successful.
Los Angeles traded him to the Utah Jazz at the 2023 trade deadline, and he wound up finishing the season with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he found an effective role for himself alongside stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
Since winning the inaugural In-Season Tournament championship, the Lakers have gone 4-10 over their last 14 games to fall to 18-19 entering Tuesday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Los Angeles ended a four-game losing streak on Sunday with a 106-103 win over Westbrook and the Clippers.
It will be interesting to see if the Lakers make a move at this year's trade deadline, as they surely hope to avoid doing something else they will end up regretting.
