The Lakers front office has had a measured approach to start the season.
After trying and failing to find a suitable Russell Westbrook trade during the offseason, the Lakers entered the 2022-23 campaign determined to evaluate the current roster as is, at least for the first 20 or so games. The theory was that the rest of the NBA landscape would clarify itself during that time, and more tankers would emerge, giving the Lakers more trade options at that juncture.
In the meantime, the Lakers have been trying to find a suitable role for Russell Westbrook in Los Angeles, and there are positive early returns for the Russell Westbrook Sixth Man gambit.