This article was originally published on www.si.com/fannation/nba/fastbreak as Ex-NBA Player Explains How Lakers Might've Affected Westbrook. With Russell Westbrook still on the NBA free agency market, many fans, players, and analysts continue to weight in on the shocking status of the former NBA MVP.

Former NBA veteran guard Evan Turner takes a massive, personal shot at Los Angeles Lakers star guard Austin Reaves.

In fact, in an annual NBA.com survey of general managers, the Lakers got no votes to win it all this season. Oklahoma City got a whopping 80% of the vote, followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets, which both got 7% of the balloting.

Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

DeAndre Ayton revealed that he had not worked with Luka Doncic and LeBron James, and fans wonder about the Lakers’ locker room equation.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns reportedly had interest in Bruce Brown before he returned to the Denver Nuggets on a one-year, $3.1 million deal, per Bennett Durando of the Denver Post.

Lakers insider Dan Woike believes that Knecht has now become a negative asset. He pushed this idea out in an article for The Athletic.

LeBron James will miss around a month with sciatica, the Lakers confirm, as the NBA star begins recovery ahead of the 2025–26 season opener.