The Lakers season didn’t go as expected and there’s no doubt that offseason changes are on the way.
The future of Russell Westbrook will be a major storyline this summer though finding a trade could be rather difficult given his $47 million salary. The Knicks have been floated as a possibility, yet reports late in the season indicated New York is out on the former MVP. Houston has been linked to Westbrook with John Wall being a possible trade piece headed to Los Angeles, though the Rockets had reportedly wanted a pick included with Westbrook.
Los Angeles hasn’t ruled out using the stretch provision on Westbrook, longtime NBA journalist Marc Stein reports on his Substack.
Such a move would take the team out of the luxury tax and help the club make additions or retain current players like Malik Monk.