Russell Westbrook

In search of a third star to pair with Anthony Davis and LeBron James, the Lakers viewed Russell Westbrook as a piece that could help them recreate the ...

But it’s Pelinka and the front office [that refuse to actually make a deal](https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2022/12/29/23531127/lakers-trade-rumors-considering-making-zero-moves-russell-westbrook-anthony-davis-lebron-james). If you had someone in charge who felt like that was not the move to make, that’s their duty and their job as the steward of the franchise to say ‘hey, we don’t think that’s a good idea.’ And then lay out basketball reasons why you don’t think it’s a good idea. So much so that I heard from a bunch of different people in different camps that they were like ‘oh, we’re gonna recreate the Big 3 in Miami.’ And I was just like ‘OK.’ Like Dwyane Wade in Miami, the last year was hurt, and even in the second-to-last year was hurt some, but Russell Westbrook is not Dwyane Wade. You can follow Jacob on Twitter at [@JacobRude](https://twitter.com/JacobRude). “He did not put a gun to anyone’s head to make the deal for Russell Westbrook. It clearly wasn’t just one side that wanted to make this deal. This version of Westbrook is the Dwyane Wade you order on Wish. That’s the organization, that’s everybody was billing it that way, and then that thing went south very quickly.” And Russ is a star, and they felt they had a Big 3. The only thing they have in common is their reckless style on offense and that they weren’t great shooters. Teams built around three stars have won titles in the past, from the Winning a title with only two stars never deterred him from his belief and, eventually, Russell Westbrook became that guy.

Westbrook (foot) is listed as probable for Friday's contest against the Hawks, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.