New Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham recently talked up Russell Westbrook's importance for the squad next season. It sounds like Ham has no intention of facilitating Russ' exit this summer, but the first-year head coach also said that one of the most important aspects of his conversations with the Lakers star centers around the need to “sacrifice.”
Ham did not provide too many details about what exactly he wants Westbrook to sacrifice, but it sounds like this isn't going to be his starting gig. At a press conference on Monday, the Lakers point guard was asked about possibly coming off the bench next season. Russ' reaction to the query is quite telling (h/t Michael J. Duarte of NBC):
Dylan Hernandez asked if Russell Westbrook might come off the bench next season and Westbrook turned to his teammates, HBK, and Wenyen and laughed.
Dylan Hernandez asked if Russell Westbrook might come off the bench next season and Westbrook turned to his teammates, HBK, and Wenyen and laughed. Ham said he’s spoken with Russ and preached “sacrifice.” #Lakers #LakeShow
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) June 6, 2022
Westbrook literally laughed off the possibility of not starting for the Lakers next season. Unless we're reading this situation entirely wrong, it does seem like Russ isn't exactly entertaining the idea of coming off the bench.
Westbrook's starting role was one of the most contentious issues during Frank Vogel's reign, with critics demanding that Russ be benched in certain situations. It now seems like this could be a concern yet again with Ham now sitting at the helm.
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