The Los Angeles Lakers had some real struggles incorporating star point guard Russell Westbrook into their offense last season. With just one preseason game left before the start of the NBA season, the team is experimenting with how they want to use Westbrook moving forward.
According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers plan on bringing Russell Westbrook off the bench for the final preseason game on Friday against the Sacramento Kings.
ESPN reporting with @Mcten: The Lakers are planning to bring Russell Westbrook off the bench in the final preseason game vs. Kings tonight (ESPN, 10 ET). Darvin Ham and Westbrook have been exploring possibility of Westbrook quarterbacking second unit and they'll try it tonight.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 14, 2022
There have been reports circulating throughout the NBA offseason of this possibility for Los Angeles, so it isn’t shocking to see them try this experiment in the preseason.
It was clear last season that Westbrook and Lakers star LeBron James did not work together smoothly, and Westbrook manning the primary ball-handler role off the bench is certainly an intriguing possibility for the Lakers.
That being said, it is certainly strange to see a former MVP award winner like Westbrook see his role diminish so drastically that he may not even be a starter to begin the year.
This may end up being an absolute disaster or a huge success for the Lakers, and many are excited to watch either possibility on Friday night.
https://twitter.com/Sean_Barnard1/status/1580939271795445760
Well, I'm going to probably watch now. https://t.co/HNtEDuLFwj
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) October 14, 2022
Darvin Ham did say the starting lineup would be different tonight. Westbrook with the second unit, who shifts into the starting five? Reaves? Schroder? Is Anthony Davis still at center? So many questions, can't wait until gametime! https://t.co/0FJkhhukN8
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) October 14, 2022
This should go well. https://t.co/tEL58Dye9o
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) October 14, 2022
This won't end well. https://t.co/yKyCOqKjTB
— Frank Hanrahan (@JFrankHanrahan) October 14, 2022
If this backup role does stick for Westbrook on the Lakers, this would make him far and away the most expensive bench player for any team in NBA history.
Russell Westbrook is now the highest paid backup QB in #NBA history. https://t.co/Qb8oyiQufr
— Spotrac (@spotrac) October 14, 2022
It remains to be seen exactly how Westbrook truly feels about this decision coming from the Lakers.
Regardless of whether or not it works, new head coach Darvin Ham is certainly shaking things up in Los Angeles, for better or for worse.
