Los Angeles Lakers: Why Russell Westbrook to LA is not happening

Sep 8, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Markieff Morris (88) during the first half of game three in the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 8, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Markieff Morris (88) during the first half of game three in the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 4
Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

Russell Westbrook reportedly wants out of Houston but don’t expect him to be connected to the Los Angeles Lakers.

There were reports that came out that Russell Westbrook wasn’t happy in Houston and that he requested a trade. Many people ran to the trade machine to see how he could make his way to the Los Angeles Lakers.

It is an exciting thought, as Westbrook lives in the area during the offseason. He grew up near the Lakers and went to high school at Leuzinger. He then continued his playing career at UCLA, where he funded a practice court there.

So the fit sounds like a match made in heaven right? Westbrook has long been linked to Los Angeles but passed up that opportunity by resigning in Oklahoma City twice. Many people believed he would end up with the Lakers, but he never had that thought.

Many believed for so many years that it would be Westbrook that left Oklahoma City and not Kevin Durant. But that wasn’t the case and people saw the loyalty that ran in Westbrook’s blood.

But now we circle back to square one. Westbrook could possibly be available again. The Lakers can make amends and finally bring him to Los Angeles and play in purple and gold right? Not so fast, things get more complicated.

The scenario sounded good when you looked at it back in 2016. But the landscape has changed so much since then. The Lakers are coming off a championship and have LeBron James and Anthony Davis now.

Far removed from the Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng days, the needs are much different now. The need for the main superstar isn’t there anymore.

So we take a look at three reasons why Westbrook to Los Angeles will not happen.