LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook decided last offseason that they wanted to play together and the trio appears to have no option other than to figure out how do do it.
"It's not like [Westbrook's] a tradable player where if it's not working out you just move on; everybody in the NBA knows that," one team source said. "So it's got to work. This is the only option. There is no Plan B for this season."
The Lakers traded virtually all their remaining assets to the Washington Wizards for Westbrook.
As one Lakers insider said, "There is no light at the end of the tunnel."
Westbrook was benched last week in what could be a crossroads moment for him.
Rob Pelinka met with Westbrook for nearly two hours when the Lakers landed in Orlando on Thursday.
Frank Vogel too has met individually with Westbrook several times throughout the season to try to find ways to help him feel more comfortable and succeed on the court, according to team sources.
James and Davis speak to him regularly, as well.
"Constantly," one team source said. "They're talking to Russ constantly."