LeBron James

The Los Angeles Lakers may be saying all the right things publicly, but they remain interested in trading Russell Westbrook.

Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer said the Lakers have explored a Westbrook-Bradley Beal deal.

"The one name that I've heard recently is Bradley Beal as another guy that they want. I'm not sure if the interest is as mutual. You know Beal, it seems like Miami would be more of the threat to take him away from Washington. I don't think you can also rule out Boston either because of his relationship with Jayson Tatum, but the Lakers are trying to angle for some moves like that using the Russ expiring and the '27 and the '29 firsts."

The Lakers are expected to explore trade talks for Westbrook this offseason even though they've been publicly committal about bringing him back next season. New Lakers coach Darvin Ham said Westbrook will "absolutely" be with the team next season at his introductory press conference.

"And Russell—don't get it messed up," Ham said. "Russ is one of the best players our league has ever seen and still has a ton left in that tank. I don't know why people tend to try to write him off. I'm going to approach him like I do every player I've ever encountered. We're going to talk about our running habits with the ball, without the ball. And, again, the team, the rhythm of the team and trying to establish a rhythm with LeBron, Russ and AD and, again, share the load defensively and offensively."

Westbrook is coming off a down 2021-22 season that saw him average 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists. He spent much of the season alone on an island with LeBron James and Anthony Davis dealing with injuries.

When Davis and James were on the floor, Westbrook's skill set proved to be an oil-water mix. He struggled in particular with James, with their propensity for needing the ball proving to be an awkward on-court mix.

The Lakers were arguably the NBA's most disappointing team, finishing 33-49 (11th in the West). Westbrook, 33, is under contract through the 2022-23 season and will make $47.1 million, which only further complicates any trade talks.

Playing against the Boston Celtics has been a challenge for Draymond Green and his Golden State Warriors teammates.

Just not quite on a LeBron James level.

"It doesn't compare to mentally playing against LeBron James, who I think is arguably the smartest guy to ever play this game," Green told reporters Wednesday. "Not one of—he's arguably the smartest guy to step foot on a basketball court. So, to say it compares to that, it's disrespectful to LeBron and it's a lie to you [the media]."

The Warriors played against James' Cleveland Cavaliers in four straight NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018, with Golden State winning three championships. James' lone victory in that rivalry, the 2016 Finals, led to Kevin Durant signing with the Warriors and forever changing the trophy cases of both teams.

On the cusp of a fourth ring after taking a 3-2 lead over the Celtics heading into Thursday's Game 6, Green says Boston has presented a different challenge with its athleticism.

"It is a challenge mentally because these guys are superathletic, they are superyoung and fast and strong, and ... then obviously they're supertalented," Green said. "When you're facing that, you have to try to outthink a guy. If a guy is faster than me, how can I beat him to a spot? I have to anticipate him. I have to think. I have to try to understand what he's trying to get to. So, I think that's been huge in this series from a mental standpoint and just trying to understand and be a step ahead of them."

That being said, Green said playing against James is a "chess match" because of his ability to dissect plays on the fly with his once-in-a-generation basketball IQ. LeBron has flashed a photographic memory of in-game situations, showing an ability to remember individual plays in incredible detail.

While Green said no one compares to James' basketball intellect, he highlighted Marcus Smart as the "brain" of the Celtics operation.

LeBron James is serving as the conductor of the Anthony Davis hype train.

James posted a highlight video Wednesday that featured his Los Angeles Lakers co-star, along with a caption sending a message to Davis' doubters.

"Get It Twisted if you want too! I'm due time he'll remind you once again why he's HIM!!! And I can't wait for it to be unleashed!" James posted on Instagram.

Davis is coming off an injury-plagued 2021-22 campaign that saw him limited to 40 games. The eight-time All-Star has played only 76 regular-season games since the Lakers won the 2020 NBA championship.

Criticism of Davis' durability has been prevalent throughout his career, and his work ethic came into question this week among fans when he said he hadn't shot a basketball in over two months.

With the Lakers coming off a miserable 2021-22 season as a team, the spotlight will only grow brighter on Davis once the offseason is over.

Hall of Fame forward Kevin Garnett said Rasheed Wallace is a "great" addition to the Los Angeles Lakers' staff under new head coach Darvin Ham.

Garnett described Wallace as "a genius and a mastermind" who will help Anthony Davis and LeBron James while discussing the hire Saturday (NSFW):

It was clear throughout the 2021-22 season, which saw the Lakers miss the playoffs with a 33-49 record, that the franchise could use an infusion of energy. Things have trended consistently in the wrong direction since they captured the 2020 NBA title.

Wallace should provide that. He was a fiery competitor throughout a 16-year NBA career that included four All-Star selections and a championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004.

Since his 2013 retirement, he's gained coaching experience at every level of basketball, with stops at Charles E. Jordan High School in North Carolina, the University of Memphis and the Pistons.

In 2020, Wallace said on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast (via Gilbert McGregor of Sporting News) that he wasn't sure LeBron would have been as dominant in previous generations.

"I don't think he would be as successful as he is now," Wallace said. "It's a whole different era back then. I couldn't necessarily say that he would've been a beast, but I think he would've held his own."

Those comments began to recirculate after he was hired by the Lakers, but they're unlikely to have a tangible impact on his relationship with the NBA's longtime gold standard.

Instead, Garnett, who embarked on numerous head-to-head battles with Wallace during their overlapping careers, thinks the 47-year-old Philadelphia native is "full of knowledge" that can help the Lakers.

L.A.'s roster still needs some work around the trio of James, Davis and Russell Westbrook, but so far the new coaching staff is generating mostly positive reviews.

Will health and a coaching change be enough for the Los Angeles Lakers to rebound from a disastrous season? We may find out soon enough as sources close to the team, along with several competing executives, believe the Lakers are operating as if Russell Westbrook will be on the roster to start next season.

If the Lakers intend to trade Westbrook, assuming he opts into his final year at $47.1 million, it's the front office that will need to sacrifice. Several executives believe the Lakers would need to take on expensive players ($15-25 million range) with two to four years left on their contract—not specifically, but players with contracts like Davis Bertans, Duncan Robinson, Julius Randle, Malcolm Brogdon, etc.—or send out one or two first-round picks, especially for quality rotation players in return.

New head coach Darvin Ham recently praised Westbrook while also demanding the veteran point guard, along with the rest of the roster, be ready to sacrifice for the greater good next season. But what about LeBron James?

The Lakers were paralyzed at the trade deadline without clarity from James, and they remain so. The star forward is eligible for an extension on August 4, but most of the team's moves will need to happen in June and July.

The Lakers are stuck without a commitment from James, whose contract expires after the 2022-23 season. Competing executives and agents do not expect the team to get clarity from James ahead of the draft and free agency.

James could help make decisions easier if he verbally commits to an additional two seasons, timing his contract with Anthony Davis through 2024-25 (although Davis has an early termination option to leave one year sooner). Unpleasant salary is easier to digest in trade if the Lakers are reinvested in James with Davis. The last thing the team would want to do is eat up its 2023-24 cap space on players it doesn't value with James leaving as an unrestricted free agent.

The fear is similar in trading draft picks. If James were guaranteed to stick around another couple of seasons, L.A. might consider bigger moves like trading picks to get out of Westbrook for viable talent.

The Lakers will only have a $6.4 million taxpayer mid-level exception and minimum contracts to spend to add talent if they retain Westbrook. That may not be enough to bring back Malik Monk with several other teams armed with at least the $10.3 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception (NTMLE). Some alternate targets could be Otto Porter Jr., Joe Ingles, Gary Payton II, Bruce Brown Jr., Damian Jones, Isaiah Hartenstein, Thomas Bryant, Taurean Prince, Gorgui Dieng, Lonnie Walker IV, Gary Harris, Austin Rivers or Aaron Holiday (among many others).

Do any of those names catapult the Lakers back to contention? James can empower the franchise to make bolder moves with a commitment. Without it, the franchise may be overwhelmed by the inertia of uncertainty.

Lottery Picks Available

The 2022 NBA draft should bring solid talent into the league, but not nearly as much as the 2021 class. At least that's the buzz around the league, which described a gap after the first two or three prospects. Most expect the Orlando Magic to take Jabari Smith Jr. from Auburn and the Oklahoma City Thunder to select Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren second.

Some executives argue that Duke's Paolo Banchero is the clear third, destined for the Houston Rockets. Others suggest Jaden Ivey or Keegan Murray belong in the top three, with Banchero dropping. But the general vibe is that several lottery picks could be available in trade, starting with the Sacramento Kings at No. 4.

Teams looking to make the playoffs may want to upgrade their rosters with veteran players instead of prospects. Or they might try to trade up for more of a sure thing (if there is such a thing in the draft) like Ivey or Murray. That may include teams like the Portland Trail Blazers (No. 7), New Orleans Pelicans (No. 8), Washington Wizards (No. 10), New York Knicks (No. 11), Charlotte Hornets (No. 13) and Cleveland Cavaliers (No. 14). Even the Thunder, who have three first-round picks, may be open to moving No. 12.

More than half of the 14 lottery picks may be attainable, and interested teams are trying to determine where they can strike. Who will move up, down or out may not be apparent until draft day.

Some veteran trade targets might include Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton (sign-and-trade), Rudy Gobert, Jalen Brunson (sign-and-trade) and Myles Turner. Since teams cannot agree to a sign-and-trade in June, a few may draft on faith that their trade target will be available in July, especially if faith equates to an illegal prearranged deal.

Bigs on the Move?

One of the hottest topics heading into the offseason is Ayton's fate with the Phoenix Suns. The franchise didn't issue him an extension before the season, and after their recent playoff flameout, there's considerable skepticism that the team will re-sign him. Instead, the restricted free agent may need to solicit an offer sheet or navigate a sign-and-trade. If so, Ayton is expected to seek a maximum contract that could reach $131.2 million over four seasons.

The Utah Jazz were also ousted earlier than they had hoped, leading to the resignation of coach Quin Snyder. Many competing executives and agents believe the franchise will look to move Gobert, who has four years and $169.7 million left on his contract.

The Orlando Magic have a young 7-footer hitting restricted free agency in Mo Bamba, whose market value may be closer to the $10.3 million NTMLE. The Magic may look to retain him, especially if the franchise drafts Smith at No. 1. If Orlando chooses Holmgren, Bamba could become available via sign-and-trade or even as an unrestricted free agent.

Teams seeking a starting center may include the Toronto Raptors, Pistons, Trail Blazers and Hornets. Some sources believe the San Antonio Spurs (Jakob Poeltl), Chicago Bulls (Nikola Vucevic), Hawks (Clint Capela, John Collins), Pacers (Turner) or even Kings (Richaun Holmes, Harrison Barnes) could look to swap out existing players for one of the top available centers via trade.

Would the Bulls offer Coby White, Marko Simonovic and Vucevic for Gobert? Would Sacramento try to pair Domantas Sabonis with Gobert with an offer of Holmes, Barnes and No. 4? Do the Phoenix Suns target Capela or Collins in an Ayton sign-and-trade? It's too early to guess how teams ultimately reshuffle, but now is the time to run scenarios and feel other teams out as the draft nears with free agency beginning a week later.

Another big who could be on the move is Steven Adams of the Memphis Grizzlies, although he's extremely well-liked in the locker room.

Elsewhere...

Additional buzz heading into the draft and free agency:

• The Thunder may be the first domino with up to $31.8 million in cap space. The team is open to taking on unwanted salary for draft compensation before its room disappears on July 1 when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's extension kicks in.
• The Knicks looking to hire Rick Brunson, per Ian Begley of SNY, isn't a coincidence. His son, Dallas Mavericks free-agent Jalen Brunson, may be next. While New York won't have the cap room, multiple sources believe Dallas may blink at Brunson's asking price, compelled to sign and trade him to the Knicks.
• Competing teams are very curious how the Brooklyn Nets deal with Kyrie Irving, the Philadelphia 76ers with James Harden and the Washington Wizards with Bradley Beal. All three have player options but could opt out and re-sign or walk outright as free agents.
• The Suns are apparently hoping Dario Saric returns to form after a knee injury and may not be looking to dump his $9.2 million remaining in trade.
• The Hawks may waive Danilo Gallinari, whose $21.5 million contract is only $5 million guaranteed. Similarly, the Trail Blazers may cut Eric Bledsoe's $19.4 million with a $3.9 million guarantee. Either could end up in a trade, though the returns for Atlanta and Portland would be based on the guaranteed portion, not the full salaries.
• After hiring Kenny Atkinson, the Hornets may hold onto Gordon Hayward. Several sources believe the Pacers will keep Turner. Pencil in Chris Boucher to return to the Raptors.
• The Cavaliers may look to restock their backcourt with a healthy Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio, who they traded to the Pacers at the deadline.
• The Pistons are expected to retain Marvin Bagley III. The team may make a run at a restricted free agent like Miles Bridges or Ayton, either by offer sheet or sign-and-trade.
• Many believe D'Angelo Russell is available out of Minnesota.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter, @EricPincus.

The Los Angeles Lakers have made it known around the NBA that they don't want to "force" a Russell Westbrook trade that "costs them additional assets," according to NBA reporter Marc Stein.

Stein also reported that a Westbrook-for-John-Wall trade is unlikely:

Regarding the long-running idea that Westbrook could be swapped again for Houston's Wall, since both would be making near-identical $47 million salaries next season, one source briefed on the situation told me this week that Houston's interest has always been predicated on the Lakers including draft compensation to sweeten the deal, which L.A. steadfastly refuses to do.

That makes it likely that Westbrook will be a Laker come the start of the 2022-23 season.

He has until June 29 to decide if he'll exercise or decline his $47 million player option, and unsurprisingly, he reportedly is expected to do the former.

"Westbrook can opt into the final year of his contract at $47 million. He's expected to do that at the end of the month," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on NBA Countdown Friday (0:50 mark). "But [he's] really enthusiastic about getting to know [new Lakers head coach] Darvin Ham so far and expects to talk with him a lot more about his role, how he fits into it, as they move through the summer toward training camp."

While Westbrook had a poor first season with the Lakers by his standards—he averaged just 18.5 points, 7.4 boards and 7.1 assists per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the field, 29.8 percent from three and 66.7 percent from the charity stripe—giving away nearly $50 million to find a better situation always felt unlikely, especially since Westbrook wouldn't get anywhere close to that figure as a free agent at this stage in his career.

Westbrook undoubtedly became one of the scapegoats of the team's disappointing 33-49 campaign, fitting poorly alongside stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis while having some truly perplexing moments.

Frank Vogel was made the ultimate scapegoat, as he was fired and replaced by Ham. While he didn't get the most out of last year's group, reprioritizing role players who defend and shoot from the perimeter should be the goal for the front office this offseason after last year's roster was constructed poorly around the skill sets of James and Davis.

That included the addition of Westbrook, who likely would be traded if moving his contract was feasible. But very few teams could find a way to absorb his cap hit, and all would likely demand assets in return that the Lakers, per Stein, aren't inclined to give away.

In summary: Westbrook is going to keep his $47 million and the Lakers are going to keep the few tradable future assets they have. For better or worse, this marriage appears very likely to continue for one more season.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has reiterated his desire to become an NBA owner.

James, who expressed his ownership goal last year, said on The Shop that he's honing in on Las Vegas as the franchise's home, suggesting he could take charge of an expansion team:

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver denied rumors the league could expand as early as 2024 during a press conference before the NBA Finals last week.

"That talk is not true," Silver told reporters. "At least maybe there are people talking who are not at the league office about us potentially expanding after the 2024 season. We are not discussing that at this time. As I said before, at some point, this league invariably will expand, but it's not at this moment that we are discussing it."

Nevertheless, Bill Simmons of The Ringer predicted the LeBron-Vegas connection in February:

James has made substantial progress toward making himself a viable candidate to lead an ownership group in the financial aspect.

Chase Peterson-Withorn of Forbes reported the 37-year-old Ohio native is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire. Michael Jordan has reached that threshold, but only after his playing days were over.

Now James is aiming to follow in MJ's ownership footsteps. The Chicago Bulls legend is the chairman of the Charlotte Hornets.

There are still far more questions than answers, though.

James continues to play at an All-Star level and has stated his hope of finishing his career alongside his son Bronny James, a 2024 draft prospect.

"My last year will be played with my son," the four-time MVP told Jason Lloyd of The Athletic in February. "Wherever Bronny is at, that's where I'll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It's not about the money at that point."

Meanwhile, it's also unclear whether James would be willing to join an existing ownership group if the NBA's expansion process shows no signs of acceleration, and if doing so would raise the prospect that the franchise relocates to Vegas.

He's getting a taste of sports ownership as a partner of the Fenway Sports Group, which counts MLB's Boston Red Sox and Liverpool of the English Premier League among its teams.

It sounds like he's focused on adding an NBA organization to his portfolio in the coming years, though it may take a while for the details to come together.