However, in the offseason, the Lakers could reunite LeBron James with a former MVP and bolster their promising and versatile roster. Russell Westbrook spent 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, one with the Houston Rockets, and one with the Washington Wizards before joining the Lakers in a blockbuster 2021 offseason trade.

LeBron James exited with 6:44 remaining in the fourth quarter with what the Lakers are calling a left groin strain suffered in his team's 111-101 loss to the Celtics, a result that ended an eight-game winning streak.

Noah Clowney scored 19 points and the Brooklyn Nets beat Los Angeles 111-108 in the Lakers’ first game since losing LeBron James to a strained left groin