The Los Angeles Lakers turned rumors into reality during NBA draft day. Their blockbuster trade for Russell Westbrook sent shockwaves across the NBA landscape and stunned a handful of people.
Even those who heard the Russ to Lakers rumors were probably taken aback as the trade seemed impossible from a salary standpoint, and looked just as perplexing as an on-court product. But just as the number-crunchers made it happen on paper, the superstars apparently broke bread to make it happen on the court weeks before the trade.
Via report from LA Times' Broderick Turner:
About two weeks ago, Russell Westbrook went to LeBron James’ home and together they and Anthony Davis had a conversation about the All-Star guard joining James and Davis on the Lakers.
They talked about putting their egos aside and playing as one in their quest to bring the Lakers another NBA championship. Westbrook talked about how his only intention was winning and coming back home to Los Angeles to become a champion.
Two weeks later, the three find themselves as teammates on the Lakers. It's surprising that there wasn't any paparazzi waiting outside James' house to take a snapshot of the Brodie exiting the mansion. But they probably took extra precaution to keep everything under wraps.
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook could be boom or bust for the Purple & Gold. But the three superstars have vowed that they'll do whatever it takes to make things happen.