Lakers fail to move Westbrook despite pressure from coaching staff

The Los Angeles Lakers failed to gain traction on a Russell Westbrook trade despite pressure from some members of the coaching staff, accoording to The Athletic's Bill Oram.

Here's everything I've learned about the Lakers efforts prior to the trade deadline, including flirting with a reunion with Dennis Schroder before Boston flipped him to Houston instead. https://t.co/L5Kcs5rDED

— Bill Oram (@billoram) February 10, 2022

The Lakers path to shedding Westbrook's salary prior to the start of next season seems tenous at best. Westbrook stands to make $47 million next year, which is the final year of his deal (player option.) Further complicating matters is the fact that Los Angeles has limited assets to include in a deal as a sweetener.

Tensions remain high in Los Angeles with Westbrook hoping to make his way back into the team's closing rotation. Unfortunately, the Westbrook-LeBron James-Anthon Davis pairing has not worked out as planned. The Lakers are currently 26-30, good for ninth place in the Western Conference.