LeBron James, Russell Westbrook
Photo: Los Angeles Lakers/Twitter

Russell Westbrook would not be a Laker at this point if it was up to the coaching staff of the purple and gold, new report reveals.

According to it, there was a push from the coaching staff to trade the 33-year-old point guard for John Wall before the trade deadline but the front office opted not to proceed with the move.

Moreover, the tensions between the former NBA MVP and the coaching staff has only increased since the trade deadline passed and it became clear that Westbrook will remain with the Lakers this season.

Via Sam Amick, Bill Oram, Sam Amick and Bill Oram of The Athletic:

“Sources say the coaching staff made an unsuccessful push for Westbrook to be traded before the Feb. 10 deadline, when the Lakers passed on Houston’s John Wall, in part, because of the draft considerations that it would have required to make the deal. There were also significant concerns about the fact that Wall hadn’t played all season and, thus, didn’t instill confidence in his ability to help the Lakers turn their season around.”

This season Westbrook is averaging 18.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game for Los Angeles. Another report suggested that there is no future for him with the Lakers next season.