The Lakers‘ struggles in 2021/22 will have ramifications beyond this season, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, who says that point guard Russell Westbrook, head coach Frank Vogel, and head of basketball operations Rob Pelinka all have uncertain futures in Los Angeles.
The Lakers didn’t like any of the deals available for Westbrook at this year’s trade deadline, but the two sides have mutual interest in finding the former MVP a new home in the offseason, sources tell Fischer.
Of course, Westbrook’s $47MM salary will make it challenging to find a taker, with one team strategist telling Fischer that his club wouldn’t trade for the veteran guard unless the Lakers were willing to include two first-round picks. However, other team personnel around the league are more confident that Los Angeles will have better luck shopping Westbrook once he’s on an expiring contract this summer, Fischer adds.
According to Fischer, Westbrook gave an “impassioned” speech to Lakers players prior to All-Star weekend, stressing the need to be unified in their push for the postseason. Fischer notes that Westbrook tried to motivate the Wizards in a similar manner last year and it paid off, as the team finished strong and claimed the No. 8 seed in the East. The Lakers haven’t shown signs of turning their season around so far — they’re 1-4 since the All-Star break.
Here’s more from Fischer on the Lakers:
- Few people in coaching circles that Fischer has spoken to expect Vogel to hang onto his job with the Lakers for the 2022/23 season. Assuming Vogel is replaced, the expectation is that the franchise would focus on finding an experienced replacement rather than a first-timer, Fischer notes.
- While some league insiders aren’t convinced Pelinka will keep his job atop the Lakers’ basketball operations department, Fischer says the team’s general manager still has strong support from key decision-makers within the organization. “His relationship with Kurt [Rambis] and Linda [Rambis] and Jeanie [Buss], it is very much a mom-and-pop shop,” one assistant GM told Bleacher Report.
- According to Fischer, there has been “growing speculation” about Omar Wilkes of Klutch Sports emerging as a candidate to replace Pelinka as the Lakers’ GM. However, some of Fischer’s sources dismissed that idea, with a few suggesting that those rumors are being fueled by Wilkes’ competitors at Creative Artists Agency, since Wilkes is competing with CAA to represent top college prospects such as Duke’s Paolo Banchero.
- Some rival front offices have griped about the way Pelinka operates in his trade talks with other teams, according to Fischer. Last offseason, the Kings were irritated to learn via media reports – rather than from Pelinka himself – that the Lakers were passing on Buddy Hield to acquire Westbrook, and one GM tells Bleacher Report that Pelinka wasn’t returning some teams’ calls at last month’s trade deadline. “He was an a–hole as an agent,” one assistant GM said to Bleacher Report. “He had the most powerful players and if he wanted the player moved, he would’ve eviscerated you as a staff to get whatever he wanted. You can’t do that to people, and then expect them to work with you when you join their side.”
- Addressing the possibility of LeBron James eventually leaving the Lakers to return to Cleveland, Fischer echoes Marc Stein’s belief that the Cavaliers aren’t itching to pursue that scenario. While the Cavs might be open to the idea, they probably wouldn’t want to break up their young core to accommodate LeBron and wouldn’t want to have him “co-piloting personnel decisions,” Fischer writes. James said during All-Star Weekend that “the door’s not closed” on a return to Cleveland, but later stated that he wants to remain with the Lakers for “as long as I can play.”
What a mess. And some guy from Klutch is gonna go GM a team now? How is this allowed?
@LilD
My God how is what allowed? Stop taking speculative rumors as facts. In the article his own sources state that the rumors are likely lies being spread by CAA because they are battling Klutch for top prospects in every year’s draft. Plus, Pelinks himself was a super powerful agent, in fact, Kobe’s agent prior to becoming the GM. Now he’s not a very good GM so he’s proof that being a great agent doesn’t make you a great GM candidate. But let’s not continue to waste energy hating on Klutch for things they haven’t said, done or maybe even thought about doing.
Cleveland would be nuts to want Lebron back.
Cleveland would he wise to just stay away, and continue building around their young and exciting growing core.
LeBron isn’t the game changer he used to be, he’s simply just a good player now, but he also still needs the ball to be as effective as possible. Also now, he’s getting killed down low, almost at times looking lethargic, and he isn’t spry enough to stay out on the perimeter defending younger and faster wings.
I don’t think he’d be a liability for them or anything, but they’re just better off not having to fit his contract onto their squad and having to trade away from their younger core..
Plus, it isn’t exactly like he’s known to listen to his GM, and not try to influence the roster. So, he’d also try to force them to bringing on likely older vets that he wants to play with which isn’t something they need either..
LeBron is still a top 10 player in the entire NBA at age 37. If that’s not a gamechanger idk what is
At a different time in American history this would have been looked upon in awe and probably even some celebration
Today is obviously not that time in America
Do Heat fans really have any regrets being one of the four teams to win multiple championships this century?
Are Cavs fans longing for the days of elite ft% that Ehlo Price and Daugherty gave them ?
Do the Lakers long for the Swaggy P/Jeremey Lin days back?
No, it’s the other 27 fanbases that seem to have the biggest problem with him. Never has an athlete of this ilk encountered such hate, it’s not the player it’s the times we are in I have to keep reminding myself
MJ and Kobe (my fav player ever) were far worse peeps off the court who also contributed less to society yet we enshrine them in gold today
Interesting take…
The only way LeBron gets to Cleveland will be if he somehow ends up on a Vet minimum deal. Not a hope they do a Lakers and throw their roster away to add a past his best “star”
LBJ is like the 4th best player in the NBA this season, only Jokic, Giannis & Embiid are better… so if he is past his best “star”… that means that Curry & all the other stars in the league are dead & buried then, right?
That was such a bad take of a player in the run for the MVP!
I’d take JA, Luka, and Curry over him this season. LeBron is not in the run for MVP. He will not get 1 single top 5 vote. He’s missed 17 games so far and is on a team that will miss the postseason.
Westbrook’s playing days are over. He will be just like Wall, sitting out the whole next year just getting paid. It’s time for him to consider retirement.
As for Lebron, he can still play at a very high level. He just can’t do it consistently, looks old and tired, and cant play the whole season. Going forward, he needs to come off the bench, play 20-25 minutes a game, and still average 20ppg. It’s time for Lebron to accept this role.
Lol lebron does not need to come off the bench, but he needs a real squad around him, can’t be dragging bums to the playoffs anymore, he’s tired because he is the lakers, without him they would be far worse than the rockets
It’s all his fault for being a terrible gm.
LeBron picked his teammates so his chose those bums
Not sure in the history of the game – at any level – has it been suggested that it’s time for a player averaging 29ppg to come off the bench.
Truly, you get enlightened and see it all on Hoops Rumors!
My coworker wants to see
Westbrook opt out and Lakers extended Westbrook 4 year $60 million contract
Westbrook will be in trade market every day
Lol
He probably would only earn 5 million a season after his contract expires. But his ego is much bigger… They could give him 10 million per year, four years, so 85 million for next 5 years, 17 million per year. That might be a tradeable contract?
$17 million per is not tradable
Rockets won’t take that contract
Nobody will
This is how you cam keep Lebron healthier, more effective, and playing at his best at season end. There is no shame playing less comng off the bench.
How do you get “accept his role”? Who made you decider? Your wallet is safely not in play lol.
His “role” is to get busy and be worth his contract. He wants to be on court great.
Not playing arm chair QB or anything but I did not the cost nor even landing Westbrook to begin with; the focus of adding should have Lilliard all along
Like the cost
Lebron and AD had a meeting with lilliard last summer and he wasn’t moving, they just traded all their assets, even if westbrook played average this year you’d still rather pay less assets for buddy heild with the way the roster is constructed
The Lakers won’t have a problem finding a taker for RW’s contract, as its expiring. They won’t even have to trade away a 2027-2029 1st to do it (if its a priority to hold picks that far out, which I think it should be). The real consideration the LAL will have to offer a team for taking on RW’s contract are the contracts they are willing to absorb in return.
DXC – This seems a tad overoptimistic. The expiring will help, but $47 million is a ton of money. The Lakers will either have to take back multiple bad contracts or give draft capital to get a better asset back. If they take back bad contracts, are they any better off?
Wall, yes. Wall & a ’27 first protected, yes.
I wasn’t trying to be optimistic on their behalf, really. But, I do believe that the LAL would be better off adding value to a RW trade by taking on bad contracts at least out to 2024/25 (if LBJ reups until then), rather than including their available 1st rounders. Mainly because the picks they can trade are too remote (5-7 years out) to greatly enhance a trade package (and to have any significant value would likely have to be traded unprotected or only very lightly protected). NOP controls the LAL 1st round until 2025, so their ability to rebuild prior to that is limited.
In Wall’s case, HOU’s GM Stone would require a first in a trade just for vanity’s sake, so a ’27 first could happen. Also helping that trade is that Wall is overpaid for an additional season, and is well-rested.
Now maybe Pelinka could do better, and the Lakers need depth… But HOU has depth to offer.
Doubt it. Wall’s contract has just as much negative value as RW’s (they’re the same amount and length), if not more. Wall (last year) actually looked worse than RW (this year).
If the LAL still want to try Wall instead of RW, then they can just sign Wall for minimum after he’s released by HOU, and then release RW. No need to give anyone a pick.
According to Bas.Ref, they both have one year of player option left.
They could trade themselves!— If Pelinka is such a yes-man as is alleged.
Yes a buyout could simply be waited out, whatever that would lead to.
Since Jerry Buss died the Lakers are no longer the Lakers.
His children seem to jump from one sharpie to another, instead of building a strong organization. The fact that a player under contract and his agent have to be answered to by ownership, after said player attends an All-Star game and talks to the media about how maybe he’d like to come and play for the team in that city.
The Lakers are one of the two storied franchises in the NBA; as well as THE most popular professional and major college sports team in Los Angeles – the 2nd biggest market in America. Yet their ownership acts like they’re a small market team that just got an expansion franchise…..or like the way Dolan runs the Knicks.
I said this back when the Lakers got Davis, but the Lakers were essentially the Knicks of the West in terms of their organization. They were bailed out by Lebron and Davis wanting to play for their team due to the market and franchise prestige. Their front office has been a mess and they can’t develop or draft players well. They were the complete opposite of the Nets who built a great culture and foundation with great decision making and development and convinced stars to join.
Can’t draft players well?
You sure about that? Or was that just a little too much emotion spilling over the bowl.
Samuel – Along with Jerry Buss’ passing, the loss of Jerry West is the other big reason for the Lakers longterm slide.
What are you smoking Lakers still win championships every decade LOL
Other than the Championship 2 years ago, Lakers haven’t one a playoff series the other 9 years of the last decade.
Slund: that is pretty bad… It would barely satisfy Minneapolis expectations if the Lakers never moved!
Lakers are not a small market franchise or like one. They have overly high expectations that belitles whoever they have on the roster if they’re not at least contenders.
The deal they made with Lebron was valid. It is how a celebrity team gets to the top, by using their pull to get the very top players, players that hold value even at the max.
The one title vindicated the win-now call. But now what. Strip LJ of his GM power?— already happened for certain, once he signed and Magic was fired. Pelinka has shaped this team and now the “Wolves” approach.
I am calling it now. Fizdale will be the coach next year. He was an assistant coach with the Heatles and Lebron always talks him up for jobs.
No, they are not going to promote anyone from this year staff. In fact, Fizdale’s role has diminished. No new hire can revive Lakers. :(
James said during All-Star Weekend that “the door’s not closed” on a return to Cleveland, but later stated that he wants to remain with the Lakers for “as long as I can play.”
I know this (probably) wasn’t what he meant, but it’s fun to extrapolate from that statement, “When I can’t play any more, THEN I’ll go back to Cleveland…”
Actually, I think he changed his tune after all the blowback he got from his All-Star Weekend comments.
It takes such mild comments for him to cause such blowback. LJ is given such mantle.
TV talking heads cannot wait to to say *And what about Lebron…” to snap viewers back
Bron
Bronny
M I A M I
Yeah, I love how LBJ says the door’s not shut on going back to Cleveland. Not sure that he understands that he’s not the GM of the Cavs.
Lol anyone who says Cleveland should not pursue Lebron is dumb. Lebron instantly makes them better. Cleveland has some good players but no where near championship. If the cost for Lebron isn’t outrageous get him or get him as a free agent
How about we stop hiring agents as GM and let someone with an inclination of how to build a basketball team handle the job
Lakers are a complete mess top to bottom. They should bring back Jerry West, remove Penlika, Vogel, Westbrook. and Davis. Use West to consult for new VP/GM. I’d stay away from Klutch. You’re going to lose a deal to unload Westbrook. You trade Davis to recoup some assets and maybe gamble on players on the rise. That could reshape for a positive 23-24 season following the transition in 22-23. Reset in assets, finance, and culture.
Sounds like we have a lot of GMS on this site LOL
Bron to Cavs ——- get rid of him now. Take your team back from GM Bron.
Love, Sexton, two #1 picks ……..
The Bron window is SHUT ……. move him now
Why not just sign LeBron as Head Coach and Head of Basketball Operations? He’s been doing both those jobs anyway ever since he put on the Lakers uniform.
Got them a ring, so greatest success like ever there… so what is your point, dude?
Because he is still better at basketball than the majority of players in the league…
Big old super trade.
Lakers: Julius Randle, Evan Fouriner, Kemba Walker, Nerlens Noel and Coby White
Knicks: Russell Westbrook, Nikola Vucevic and a first round pick (Lakers)
Bulls: Anthony Davis
Lakers then line up Kemba Fouriner Bron Randle and Noel, with a bench of White THT Ariza Melo and Howard.
Kemba can play the try his best to play the Cavs Kyrie role. A score first point guard and play off Bron as the main facilitator. Fouriner likely gets traded again but if not he’s a handy fourth option and floor spacer. Randle gives the the size and athleticism that AD was suppose too.
Knicks they get Russ who even in a terrible season is putting up 18-8-7 and I think his full speed, really intense style is a great fit under Thibs. Vuce comes in a fills out the centre position with Mitchell Robinson needing a new deal. Vuce also on a bad season is still putting up 18-11.5-3.5. He can also space the floor and hit free throws which opens things up for Russ.
Russ’s deal would be an expiring contract and your getting a first rounder aswell. Worst case situation you’ve atleast cleared Fouriner and Randles deals and gotten a first.
For the Bulls, I think they come up short in the playoffs and lose in the first round to either the Nets or Raptors. DeRozan has been excellent, LaVine is going to get the max, what this team needs is an interior presence. Vuce has been quietly solid but AD if he can be healthy would be insane especially coming back home. With AD Williams and Caruso the defence would be solid and on offence LaVine DeRozan and AD sesh.
Would be a potential win-win-win deal
Bron got lucky and won a COVID ring. Props to him. Cause he’s a super smart player. And saw that as a strong possibility. But his days of a running team died with Westbrook move. At 37 there is no future with Bron now. So it makes plenty sense to get value while you can. It’s like Brady going to a contender. You got 2 yrs tops with him. Nothing better than doing that in Cleveland. When he retires they will still be young with plenty of cap space.
@Knicks
Anyone that wants to discount the Lakers ring because of covid is an idiot. they held no advantage over any other team. they all played under similar circumstances.
Is this the Knicks or the Lakers what a grease fire