Report: Lakers Organization Had ‘Strong Level Of Disagreement’ Over Russell Westbrook Trade

The Los Angeles Lakers made the biggest splash of NBA Draft night, acquiring Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards. He’ll form a new “Big Three,” joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis in an attempt to win a second Lakers title in three seasons.

The deal appeared to come together pretty quickly on Thursday, at least based on what we saw from the NBA insiders. Just minutes after Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Lakers were working on a deal for sharpshooter Buddy Hield, Shams Charania came over the top with the Westbrook news, involving many of the same players.

L.A. sends Washington Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, and last night’s No. 22 pick. That was used to take Kentucky’s Isaiah Jackson, who was then traded to the Indiana Pacers for Aaron Holiday and the No. 31 pick, Isaiah Todd. The Wizards clear Westbrook’s massive salary, and send two future second-round picks back to the Lakers.

As we now understand it, this was actually in the works for some time. Russell Westbrook, an L.A. native, reportedly met with LeBron and AD to discuss how they’d fit together. Ultimately, it sounds like the two superstars were into adding the former MVP to the mix, but according to CBS Sports HQ‘s Bill Reiter, the thought wasn’t unanimous within the Lakers front office.

“There was a strong level of disagreement with the Lakers organization about whether or not Russell Westbrook was ultimately the person that they needed to pursue with the picks and the players, including Montrezl Harrell and Kyle Kuzma, who are now headed to Washington,” Reiter reports. “Communicating with one Lakers source, who was not excited about the Westbrook trade. He said in the end, that the star power and belief by Rob Pelinka, the general manager in L.A., that Westbrook and his ability, his track record of excellence is what the Lakers need, even though it’s an interesting pairing. Westbrook needs the ball in his hands.”

Reiter opened that statement saying that the move could spell the end for fan favorite Alex Caruso, given what Westbrook brings to the table.

It is a big-time move for a team that needed an upgrade at point guard in a bad way. At the same time, Westbrook isn’t as seamless a fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis as another superstar point guard rumored to potentially be available: Damian Lillard. The Lakers need to add shooting, and Westbrook, for all of his impressive abilities, does not fill that role. He is also extremely ball dominant, while the team has thrived with LeBron playing the de facto point guard role in recent years.

It will be absolutely fascinating to see how these pieces fit.

[CBS Sports HQ]

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