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Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook hasn’t received much love over the past year after a disappointing first season in LA.
He has been rumored to be in numerous trade scenarios, and there have been whispers LeBron James wasn’t exactly thrilled with how last season played out.
The Lakers’ recent trade for Patrick Beverley only increased speculation Westbrook would not be on the roster come training camp, with bad blood between the two players going back nearly a decade.
Russell Westbrook of the Los Angeles Lakers before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers March 21, 2022 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.
(David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
But Westbrook appears to have the support of Lakers owner Jeanie Buss. She told The Athletic the Beverley trade had nothing to do with Westbrook and that she appreciates what he brings to the table.
RUSSELL WESTBROOK ‘MORE LIKELY’ TO BE OFF LAKERS’ ROSTER FOLLOWING PATRICK BEVERLEY TRADE: REPORT
“Yeah, I remember all the video that circulated when the Lakers brought in Matt Barnes, (with) his relationship with Kobe over the years (and) being one of the best defenders on Kobe,” Buss told The Athletic. “And now he becomes teammates with Kobe. We’ve seen these storylines before.
“Pat Beverley was brought here to play defense, to be that guy that knows how to push his teammates, (who) sets an example with how he approaches his job. The day of the trade, he was already here after work hours working out. I got a chance to say hello to him as I was leaving for the day.”
Jeanie Buss, president of the Los Angeles Lakers, and singer Paula Abdul attend a game between the Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder April 8, 2022 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles.
(Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
“He just brings that work ethic that we value — that coach [Darvin] Ham values — and is going to be a leader in the locker room….
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