Lakers owner Jeanie Buss: Filling roster was a 'challenge' after addition of Russell Westbrook

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss admitted that filling the roster was a challenge following the addition of Russell Westbrook this summer. 

Westbrook joined the Lakers in a five-team trade that sent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell to the Washington Wizards. That move, along with the departures of several other players, ravaged the roster. 

"We're over the cap. We have really no room. When we made that trade (for Westbrook), we knew we'd have to fill the roster with seven or eight players at the veterans minimum," Buss told The Athletic's Daniel Kaplan. "And so trying to convince players to come on one-year deals for the minimum is a challenge. So you get a lot of guys that are willing to take less money for the opportunity to possibly go for a championship or play in a city that has other opportunities as they transition to the next part of their career."

The Lakers then signed Carmelo Anthony, Trevor Ariza, Dwight Howard, Wayne Ellington, Malik Monk and Kent Bazemore to one-year deals to fill out the roster. Those players hope to fight for a championship next season. 

Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis will receive more than $121 million for the 2021-22 season. Buss admitted that the Lakers benefit from players wanting the opportunity to compete for a championship alongside a formidable big three.

The Lakers are looking for another NBA title during the 2021-22 season after a disappointing first-round playoff loss to the Phoenix Suns this past year. The additions of Westbrook, Anthony, Howard and more will certainly help them try to reclaim the throne.