The Los Angeles Lakers have looked like an entirely different team since they traded Russell Westbrook away in February, ending a tough 18-month stint for the former MVP with the Lakers.
Austin Reaves‘ rookie season was Westbrook’s debut season with LA. Reaves only had good things to say about Westbrook as a teammate and person while talking with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson.
“He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. As a person, you can’t get much better. I got COVID in December of my rookie year in Minnesota. He reached out 3 or 4 times, asked if I need anything, and offered to send me stuff, whatever I needed. As a person, couldn’t get better. Same as a teammate. He was always empowering everybody to be better and do better and want more. As you said, he gets a bad rap. I don’t really understand why.”
"He's one of the best teammates I've ever had… I got Covid December of my rookie year in Minnesota. He reached out 3 or 4 times, asked if I need anything, offered to send me stuff."
Austin Reaves on Russell Westbrook 💯
(via @shobasketball)pic.twitter.com/ZGWv40k74W
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 20, 2023
Westbrook averaged 17.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 7.2 assists with the Lakers, while the team had a record of 56-74 in games that he played.
His lack of success can be attributed to the Lakers being a bad fit for him, as he has excelled in a guard role with the Clippers, averaging 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists in the playoffs for them.
The Lakers Moved On Very Well
The Westbrook-Lakers situation has ended pretty well for both sides. Russ isn’t out of the league like some people expected him to be. He gets to stay in his hometown and play with a former teammate like Paul George on the Clippers. The Lakers ran to the Western Conference Finals after the Westbrook trade and they’re looking stacked for the future.
This offseason has been a homerun from the Lakers, adding depth in virtually every position with solid 3-and-D players. They have to maximize the team they’ve built for themselves and push for a championship, provided LeBron James and Anthony Davis can enjoy relatively healthy seasons.
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