The Los Angeles Lakers took a major risk during the 2021 NBA offseason when they acquired Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards. It was a move that shocked a lot of people, as they were actively working on other deals.

One of those deals were with the Sacramento Kings. Things got so far along that the players, Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell of the Lakers and Buddy Hield of the Kings, were told of the deal. But, at the last second, the Lakers pivoted to the deal with the Wizards, sending Kuzma, Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and a draft pick to D.C.

It turns out that the Lakers were working behind the scenes to get deals done with free agents as well. DeMar DeRozan, a Compton native, has spoken previously about how he believed he was going to end up in the purple and gold.

He spoke about discussing things with LeBron James and how one thing can change the dynamics. In this case, that one thing DeRozan is referring to is Westbrook ending up with a homecoming of his own.