The acquisition of Russell Westbrook by the Los Angeles Lakers is viewed as one of the worst moves in modern NBA history. As the Lakers now ride a second-half turnaround into a playoff run, it seems Westbrook is among their former players who want a ring if Los Angeles wins the NBA Finals.
The Lakers acquired Westbrook in July 2021, trading Kyle Kuzma, the 22nd overall pick and additional assets to the Washington Wizards. While many in the league viewed it as a bad move by Los Angeles at the time, the organization hoped adding a third star would help LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
- Russell Westbrook stats (Los Angeles Lakers): 17.4 PPG, 7.2 APG, 6.9 RPG, .028 WS/48
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Los Angeles went 33-49 in its first season with the Westbrook-James-Davis trio, missing the NBA playoffs. The Lakers made small changes in the offseason, including the acquisition of point guard Patrick Beverley.
Following a 25-30 start to the season, Los Angeles decided to make sweeping changes. It traded Beverley to the Orlando Magic for Mo Bamba and packaged Westbrook with a 2027 first-round pick in a deal for D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt.
Since making the deal, the Lakers have been one of the best teams in the NBA. They advanced through the NBA Play-In Tournament and then knocked out the No. 2 seed Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs.
As Los Angeles makes its postseason run, Beverley and Westbrook seem to be watching from home with the hope that a Lakers championship means they will get a ring.
On The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone, Beverley said he recently ran into Westbrook at the gym and the former NBA MVP made it clear “I want my ring” if the Lakers win a championship. Beverley noted that he agreed with his former teammate on the belief they deserve a ring.
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There are no NBA rules requiring a champion to provide rings for any player they traded away or released during the season. Given the choice is left up to the club and the Lakers’ organization has made it clear it doesn’t hold Westbrook in high regard, it would be a surprise if either player gets a championship ring if the Lakers win it all.