According to US media reports, both the Lakers and Westbrook are currently interested in finding a new team for Westbrook, and the time is this summer.
This season, the Lakers refused to match Westbrook + 2027 first-round picks at the trade deadline to exchange for the Rockets' Wall. In the end, no team was willing to take over Westbrook, and the Lakers could only continue to use the big three combination of Westbrook, James and Davis.
But it's a fact that the Lakers and Westbrook don't fit in with each other. After more than half a season of various estrangements, both Wei Shao and the Lakers are reported to be interested in letting Wei Shao find a new owner this summer.
For the Lakers, the likelihood of trading Westbrook this summer will be much higher. One is because the Lakers can then use their 2029 first-round picks as a bargaining chip to enhance the likelihood that other teams will take over Westbrook.
The second is that Westbrook will unsurprisingly execute the $47 million contract option next season this summer. As a result, Westbrook's contract next season is his final year. For many teams that want to clear up the salary space, Westbrook's expiring contract will be attractive. If the 2027 first-round picks are not attractive enough, then the Lakers can match two first-round picks (2027 and 2029), so that the Possibility of the Lakers sending away Wei Shao is greatly improved.
However, it is unclear which teams will be willing to accept Westbrook. But in any case, as the Lakers are now preparing for a deal with Westbrook, it proves that the big three combination of Westbrook, James and Davis is a failure.
Before the start of this season, the Lakers' big three combination and the Nets' big three combination were the focus of heated discussion, and both teams were also optimistic about the championship. But now, the Lakers are even questioning the playoffs, and the big three combination of Durant, Harden and Irving has also disintegrated, which is really regrettable.