Westbrook stays calm as center of trade speculation
NEW ORLEANS — This is the second consecutive season Russell Westbrook heard his name come up in trade rumors, the second straight season he has heard that the Lakers were interested in acquiring another player and that he would be their player used in that transaction.
The Lakers became one of the teams kicking the tires on acquiring the mercurial point guard Kyrie Ir ving before Thursday’s trade deadline, according to people not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
Westbrook’s reply when asked whether he was feeling any pressure: “No, I don’t.”
It became a moot point — for now — Sunday when the Nets agreed to trade Irving and forward Markieff Morris to the Dallas Mavericks for guard Spencer Dinwiddie, forward Dorian FinneySmith and draft picks, reportedly including a firstround selection in 2029.
“That’s not up to me,” Westbrook said before Sunday about potential trades. “Like I said, I’ve known this was a business since I was 18, 19 years old, since I got into it. My dad taught me that at that age, getting to this league is a business, and people make whatever decision they make. And I’ll make sure I’m ready and professional, like I always have been and always will be.”
Lakers coach Dar vin Ham said he hasn’t spoken with Westbrook about trade rumors. Ham said their conversations have been about Westbrook being the best version of himself as the point guard and lightning bolt off the bench.
“I’ve checked in with him on attacking more and not turning down shots,” Ham said. “He’s constantly focused on trying to get his teammates the ball. That trade news and all that, that’s gonna be now. I’m in a honeymoon phase now, but I’m sure here pretty soon, probably the next year or two or three maybe, who knows, they’ll be talking about firing me. And I’m gonna have to still come in and do my damn job. And I’m not afraid of that. Like, it is what it is. I know what we signed up for.”
Westbrook had another solid game for the Lakers in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night, scoring 15 points on six-for-11 shooting, with four rebounds and four assists. He played just 23 minutes and departed with 11:02 left in the fourth quarter and didn’t return.
“Whatever decision they make, that’s up to them,” Westbrook said about his limited playing time in the fourth. “I can only speak to what I’ve been doing, being professional, coming to work, doing my job the best way I know how to.”
The Lakers will continue to make calls and do their due diligence in looking for ways to improve the team, Ham said. If a trade takes place or not, Rob Pelinka, the team’s vice president of basketball operations and general manager, will put in the work.
“Rob and the crew in the front office, everyone collaborating trying to see what needs can be filled,” Ham said.
“If there are special talents out there that can enhance our chances to get us to where we’re trying to get to, that’s great. But until something is done, it’s all hearsay, all rumor, innuendo. Again, we don’t play fantasy basketball. When it’s real, it’s real. When it’s not, we don’t pay attention to it.”
Brown solid in role
Troy Brown Jr. hasn’t started the last two games for the Lakers, but he was very good in his role off the bench against the Pelicans.
His defense was on point, and his scoring was much needed.
He played 30 minutes, 10 of them in the fourth quarter as part of the Lakers’ closing lineup.
Brown made two big three-pointers in the fourth, one from the corner to pull the Lakers to within three and one from the top of the arc to tie the score at 118, both shots with confidence, both off passes from his teammates.
He finished the game with 13 points on five-fornine shooting and had six rebounds.
“I think over the year, I’ve gotten used to my role,” Brown said. “I’ve kind of grown over the year to be more accustomed in the second half of being able to hit big shots and just trying to play my role.”