The Lakers effectively acquired Russell Westbrook instead of Kyle Lowry because they didn't want to give up Talen Horton-Tucker

Before last season's trade deadline, the Lakers could have traded Dennis Schroder, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Talen Horton-Tucker to Toronto for Kyle Lowry, but chose not to do so because they didn't want to lose Talen Horton-Tucker. If they did so, they could have signed Lowry to an extension, as he did want one if he was traded at the deadline.

Instead, the Lakers let Schroder walk in free agency, and traded Caldwell-Pope along with Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and a 1st round pick to the Wizards for Russell Westbrook.

Also, Kuzma and Harrell, but not Caldwell-Pope, were part of the trade package the Lakers would have sent to Sacramento in exchange for volume shooter Buddy Hield if the Lakers could not get Westbrook, so they could have had Buddy Hield along with Kyle Lowry if it wasn't for them wanting to keep Talen Horton-Tucker.

Lowry trade source

Multiple sources told The Athletic that the Lakers and Raptors discussed a trade that would have sent both members of Los Angeles’ starting backcourt, Dennis Schröder and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and likely some draft compensation to Toronto for Lowry. Throughout Thursday morning, sources said, the sticking point was the inclusion of Talen Horton-Tucker.

The same sources said that, Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ vice president of basketball operations, insisted that price was too high for the 35-year-old Lowry, and that he was not willing to trade Horton-Tucker, the 20-year-old combo guard who has emerged as a valuable rotation player for the Lakers in his second season.

Lowry extension source

Lowry, 34, wants some indication that a potential destination is willing to give him a two-year extension at a minimum $25 million a year, according to sources.

Hield source

Of all the scenarios for a supporting player believed to be in play, one source to the situation indicated the Hield deal — which would involve forward Kyle Kuzma and would also likely require Lakers forward Montrezl Harrell to opt in to the final year of his deal (worth $9.7 million) and be included — appears the most promising thus far.

We could have Lowry + Hield. Instead, we have Westbrook + THT.

Rob Pelinka needs to be on the hot seat.