The Los Angeles Lakers explored trading Russell Westbrook to the Sacramento Kings in a package that would have included Buddy Hield, sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Amick reported in January that the Lakers had "covertly" explored potential Westbrook trades as his integration into the team hadn't gone as well as they had hoped.

The Lakers were close to a trade for Hield in the offseason before they pivoted to a larger deal with the Washington Wizards for Westbrook.

The Kings eventually traded Hield along with Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers for Domantas Sabonis. The Lakers, meanwhile, were unable to trade Westbrook. They reportedly had an opportunity to trade Westbrook to the Houston Rockets for John Wall, but that would have required sacrificing their 2027 first round pick.