After a disappointing 2020-21 season that saw the defending NBA champion Lakers lose to the Phoenix Suns in the first round after both of their superstars suffered injuries, general manager Rob Pelinka oversaw his third roster overhaul in three offseasons, trading for Russell Westbrook in a move that essentially maxed out the Lakers’ salary cap space before signing a lot of veterans — most of them well into their 30s — to fill out the rest of the roster.
It’s a move to go all-in on offense, using the physically imposing “bigger-faster-stronger” approach behind Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis in order to replicate what worked so well during the team’s 2019-20 NBA title run one year ago.