The Los Angeles Lakers considered three main major moves last offseason:

1. Trading for Buddy Hield
2. Completing a sign-and-trade for DeMar DeRozan
3. Trading for Russell Westbrook

While the Lakers would have had to wait until the start of free agency to officially work on a sign-and-trade for DeRozan, which would have also hard capped them, there was more to the trade for Westbrook than just timing.

Sources tell ESPN's Ramona Shelburne that the "enthusiasm" for Westbrook from LeBron James and Anthony Davis were what moved the process in that direction.

James has had significant influence over the decisions made by the Lakers since he joined the franchise in 2018.