On January 27, Beijing time, according to US media reports, the Los Angeles Lakers were unwilling to pack the first round of signings in 2027 to promote the swap transaction between Wei Shao and Wall.
Among them, the main reason is that even if such a high-value first-round pick is waived, this does not guarantee that the Lakers' ability will be improved this season.
According to the source, after paying a high price to get Wei Shao, the Lakers management is not willing to pay a big price to send Wei Shao away in a short period of time. Therefore, the Lakers hope that Westbrook can play like the Wizards in the second half and play a good performance.
At the same time, mark Stein revealed that in the Lakers' deal discussions with the Rockets, the team has put Westbrook on the agenda. However, in the Lakers' consideration, the reason why the team has such a decision is also because the team wants Westbrook to stay based on internal stability.
For the Lakers' operation last summer, Stein described it this way: "Last summer, it was the positive promotion of James and The Thick Brow brother that made the Lakers management abandon Pelinka's plan to get Hield, so the team pursued Westbrook with all its might. In the Westbrook deal, the Lakers paid a huge price, including Kuzma, Harrell, Pop, and the team's No. 22 pick.
For Wall, he has two seasons left on his contract, including $44.31 million this season and $47.36 million next season. Since many people suggested that Wall could accept a buyout. But according to previous reports, Wall will not accept any buyout agreement with pecuniary losses, and the Rockets' buyout negotiations with him have been delayed.
Since the beginning of this season, the 33-year-old Westbrook has played 48 games for the Lakers, averaging 34.8 minutes per game, and can average 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game. At present, the Lakers' record is 24 wins and 24 losses, ranking eighth in the West.