Lakers reject Russell Westbrook for John Wall deal with Rockets

February 11, 2022 admin

The 2021-22 trade deadline of 3 p.m ET on Feb. 10 has passed and the Los Angeles Lakers stood pat, not making any deals.

Given the Lakers’ slump coming into the deadline, having lost 11 of their last 16, some activity was expected on their end especially with regards to their superstar offseason acquisition Russell Westbrook.

However, in the end, things didn’t fall into place, most likely because of the assets at their disposal or lack thereof.

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Lakers reject Russell Westbrook-John Wall swap deal with Rockets

Having said that, the Lakers did have a discussion on Westbrook on Thursday.

As per reports by Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, they rejected a deal with the Houston Rockets for John Wall.

.@ChrisBHaynes says Lakers declined Rockets offer of John Wall and a first-round pick for for Russell Westbrook. pic.twitter.com/rTtOUngTfD

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 11, 2022

Wall hasn’t played a single game in Houston this season, sitting out with no place in the rotation as the franchise gives the younger cornerstones more playing time.

On the flip side, Westbrook’s fit with the Lakers has been debated and discussed after nearly every game, especially during the team’s recent spiral.

In 55 games for his hometown franchise, the former MVP is averaging 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.6 assists on shooting splits of 43.5 percent from the field and 29.8 percent from beyond the arc.

The deal reportedly also included a first-round pick going from the Lakers to the Rockets, which would have been set for 2027 – the earliest the LA franchises can trade a first-round pick.

However, the Lakers were against giving up that first, and thus, the deal didn’t eventuate.

Details of Russell Westbrook-John Wall swap deal from 2020

If this Lakers-Rockets did go through, it would have been the second time in two years that Westbrook and Wall would have swapped teams and headlined a trade.

The previous time, their names were involved in a trade was in the 2020 offseason.

Back then, the Rockets traded Westbrook to the Wizards in exchange for Wall and a 2023 first-round pick.

OFFICIAL: The Houston Rockets have acquired John Wall and a future first round pick from Washington in exchange for Russell Westbrook.

Full Story: https://t.co/YApgYlopzJ pic.twitter.com/XTRprcdV6p

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 3, 2020

What’s next for Lakers?

No activity at the deadline means the Lakers now move on to the buyout market.

Including two-way players, the team has its full quota of 17 players and thus, has no open roster spots.

So, if they were to add any players through the buyout market, they would need to waive a player.

Lakers upcoming 2021-22 schedule

Following the deadline, the Lakers have two games on the schedule – at Warriors and vs. Jazz – before the All-Star break.

This upcoming Warriors game tips-off a stretch of seven consecutive nationally televised games, with marquee opponents such as the Mavericks, neighbours in the Clippers twice, Pelicans and Warriors again.

Date	Opponent	Time (ET)	National TV
Feb. 12	at Warriors	8:30 p.m	ABC
Feb. 16	vs. Jazz	10:00 p.m	ESPN
Feb. 25	vs. Clippers	10:00 p.m	ESPN
Feb. 27	vs. Pelicans	10:00 p.m	ESPN
Mar. 1	vs. Mavericks	10:00 p.m	TNT