Even though <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/no-relationship-between-lebron-james-and-kareem-abdul-jabbar-20221005-SPD-2922.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> guard <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/russell-westbrook-to-stay-put-at-lakers-at-least-until-thanksgiving-holiday-20221020-SPD-3010.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russell Westbrook</a> has been under intense criticism once again in the last week, several NBA players have come out in his favor. It was said that before the Lakers’ last preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Westbrook distanced himself from his teammates and then later joined a team huddle while they were being blown away.



The 33-year-old subsequently elaborated that he hadn’t been anywhere near the presentation of L.A.’s starting 5 due to his pregame ritual, which hasn’t altered in years. Even when the guard said he was “all in” on winning, the Lakers’ diehard fans still questioned his dedication.



Some current and past NBA players have come to Westbrook’s defense lately. These include Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers and Isaiah Thomas, formerly of the Los Angeles Lakers. <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/turmoil-surrounding-kevin-durants-trade-request-to-nets-played-down-by-steve-nash-20220929-SPD-2865.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant,</a> now of the Brooklyn Nets, is the latest one to defend his old colleague.



<h2>What Kevin Durant said about Russell Westbrook’s criticism</h2>



“I mean Russ always did [that pre-game routing]. It feels like he was just getting his mind right, just his own routine before the game. But if you play in L.A. next to the biggest figure in sports in LeBron James, everything you do is gonna be magnified, especially if the outside perception is that your team is gonna struggle. People don’t trust that your team is gonna be good”, Durant told Boardroom.



“That’s how they feel about us, the Lakers, teams that they had high hopes for last year that didn’t come through. The Lakers got a big microscope on them so you got to be on point every time. So if Russell misses a layup it’s gonna be blown out of proportion. If he misses a 3, he might be 5 for 7, but he missed those two shots, you know what I’m saying?”



“I understand that there’s certain points where you don’t play well and you are open to criticism when you don’t play well — we get that. But it’s like now you’re making him the butt of your jokes. It’s getting to a point where it’s like alright, I get the criticism for what he did that night, but now it’s starting to reach a different level with some shit that I don’t understand right now. So hopefully he just keeps hooping and blocks all that noise out and prove to everybody that they’re wrong about how they feel about his game and they mesh over there in L.A. But when we play them, I hope they play shitty, but I hope all that stuff works out because I hate how they talk. The dialogue around our game is just so toxic at this point. I get criticism, but it’s starting to turn into something else right now.”

"NBA is so toxic at this point" - Kevin Durant stands up for former teammate Russell Westbrook - thesportsdrops NEWS

"NBA is so toxic at this point" – Kevin Durant stands up for former teammate Russell Westbrook

miniaturas

The summer of trade talks, difficult news conferences, and media shots didn’t quite pay off, as <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-how-patrick-beverley-trade-could-impact-future-of-russell-westbrook-at-lakers-2618-20220827-SPD-2618.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russell Westbrook</a> has begun the 2022-23 NBA season while at <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-the-russell-westbrook-trade-the-lakers-have-seriously-considered-20221004-SPD-2889.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a>. However, this fact does not suggest that a major deal will not be made in the near future. Apparently, until around game 20, the Lakers plan to wait to make any trades.



After Thanksgiving, the Lakers will reportedly take a second look at the issue. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that they are banking on a shift in the trade market as a result of clubs’ bad starts, leading some to consider a rebuild in light of Victor Wembanyama’s likely availability in the next NBA Draft.



A trade involving Russell Westbrook and the Lakers’ 2027 and 2029 first-round choices would potentially provide a larger return for the latter team. The uncertainty of what may occur between now and Thanksgiving is a possible weakness of the strategy.



<h2>The issue with waiting until Thanksgiving for Lakers to trade Westbrook</h2>



Tuesday, the day before Thanksgiving, marks the Lakers’ 16th game. On Thursday, they’ll take on the Clippers, and then on the following days, they’ll face Portland, Denver, Minnesota, Denver once more, and finally, New Orleans, all of whom are currently in the postseason hunt.



Following that, they have two games against the Utah Jazz, who were widely predicted to be weaker than they really are after their opening night thrashing of the Nuggets. Prior to Thanksgiving, the Lakers will play the Cavaliers, the Nets, and a rematch versus the Clippers.

Russell Westbrook to stay put at Lakers at least until Thanksgiving holiday

Russell Westbrook to stay put at Lakers at least until Thanksgiving holiday - thesportsdrops NEWS

Following a poor <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/i-made-the-playoffs-last-year-they-didnt-patrick-beverley-pokes-fun-at-new-teammates-lebron-james-and-anthony-davis-2706-20220907-SPD-2706.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first season</a> with the Lakers, <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-how-patrick-beverley-trade-could-impact-future-of-russell-westbrook-at-lakers-2618-20220827-SPD-2618.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russell Westbrook</a>‘s days in Los Angeles looked numbered. For many, there was no way the team would keep him for the 2022-23 NBA season.



However, it turns out that the team may actually give it another shot with the former NBA MVP. Westbrook picked up his player option this offseason, and the team seems fine about <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-russell-westbrook-willing-to-make-big-commitment-for-the-lakers-2693-20220906-SPD-2693.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">running things back</a> together.



Darvin Ham heaped praise on him from day one, Jeanie Buss also admired his availability last season, and even <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-lakers-committed-to-helping-lebron-james-but-theres-a-catch-20220927-SPD-2849.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LeBron James</a> supported Brodie. However, according to Shams Charania, the Lakers have seriously considered trading Westbrook to the Pacers.



<h2>NBA Rumors: Lakers considered sending Russell Westbrook to Indiana</h2>



(Via The Athletic)



“On the cusp of training camp, as media day neared and the topic of Westbrook’s uncertain future continued to dominate the conversation around the NBA, sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations say the Lakers’ key decision-makers spent several days engaged in deep conversations about the feasibility of a blockbuster trade with Indiana.



“Vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka, owner Jeanie Buss and senior basketball adviser Kurt Rambis seriously considered sending Westbrook and unprotected first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 to the Pacers for center Myles Turner and guard Buddy Hield, sources said.“

NBA Rumors: The Russell Westbrook trade the Lakers have seriously considered

NBA Rumors: The Russell Westbrook trade the Lakers have seriously considered - thesportsdrops NEWS

Nothing went as expected for <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-how-patrick-beverley-trade-could-impact-future-of-russell-westbrook-at-lakers-2618-20220827-SPD-2618.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russell Westbrook</a> last year, in his first season with the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/lakers-owner-jeanie-buss-defends-best-player-last-season-russell-westbrook-2646-20220831-SPD-2646.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a>. The team expected Brodie to improve the team alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but he left a lot to be desired.



Westbrook has been heavily linked with a trade out of LA throughout the offseason, but with training camp drawing nearer and not many landing spots out there, it’s possible that he comes back for the 2022-23 season.



Though there is still time for the Lakers to find him a new home, Westbrook is reportedly ready to do what it takes to come back stronger this year. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-players-with-most-triple-doubles-of-all-time-214-20220503-SPD-214.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russ</a> would attend a LeBron James minicamp before the season gets underway.



<h2>Rumor: Russell Westbrook would attend a players-only minicamp before the start of the season</h2>



“LeBron James typically hosts a players-only minicamp somewhere on the West Coast before training camp starts, so stay tuned. Word is that another Lakers minicamp is likely in coming days and that Russell Westbrook would indeed attend if it comes together,” Stein wrote in his substack.



“Any sort of pre-camp gathering involving LeBron and his fellow purple-and-gold vets would represent a key step in the Lakers’ efforts to move past all the tension that bubbled throughout last season’s rocky 33-49 campaign, bringing James and Anthony Davis together with Westbrook and the newly acquired Patrick Beverley before the Lakers report for their first practices under new coach Darvin Ham on Sept. 26

NBA Rumors: Russell Westbrook willing to make big commitment for the Lakers

NBA Rumors: Russell Westbrook willing to make big commitment for the Lakers - thesportsdrops NEWS

It’s safe to say that by all NBA standards, <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/lakers-coach-darvin-ham-to-have-authority-to-bench-russell-westbrook-2463-20220805-SPD-2463.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russell Westbrook</a>‘s first year with the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/bill-russells-no-6-jersey-retired-by-nba-the-last-players-to-wear-no-6-for-each-team-2510-20220812-SPD-2510.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> was a catastrophe. The former MVP signed with a club that had won the title the year before, and his arrival was a major factor in the squad’s subsequent collapse. 



Since then, the team has spent most of the offseason of 2022 seeking to move him, but without success, as no other club is willing to take on his $47 million contract. Many believe that the 33-year-old veteran would have a difficult time finding a new club in the free agent market if he were to earn a buyout upon a trade.



But club owner Jeanie Buss disagreed, saying the point guard’s debut year in purple and gold wasn’t without bright spots. In an interview with Sam Amick of The Athletic, she even named Westbrook the squad’s greatest player from last season.



<h2>What Jeanie Buss said of Russell Westbrook</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“All I can say is that, from my point of view, [Westbrook] was our best player last year. He played pretty much every single game, showed up, worked hard. You know, I would have loved to have seen what this team would have looked like if they stayed healthy. “It’s really tough to win when Anthony Davis isn’t on the court. LeBron was hurt a lot of the season. But Russ showed up every game and played hard every night. And, you know, I just really appreciate him for who he is and what he brings to the team.”</blockquote>

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss defends 'best player last season' Russell Westbrook

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss defends 'best player last season' Russell Westbrook - thesportsdrops NEWS

Ru<a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-if-donovan-mitchell-joins-knicks-lakers-might-move-for-julius-randle-2448-20220803-SPD-2448.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ssell Westbrook</a> and Frank Vogel have a running spat about how late in games he should be playing. Westbrook was benched a couple of times by Vogel, who thought other players had earned the right to close out games for the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-lakers-and-lebron-james-not-close-to-contract-renewal-agreement-2456-20220805-SPD-2456.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers.</a>



The 33-year-old veteran was not happy about it. In the aftermath of one of these incidents, he said, “I earned the right to be in closing lineups.” Soon enough, Vogel was fired from his position.



Darvin Ham, Vogel’s successor, seems to have been given carte blanche to use Westbrook any way he sees appropriate. Hammer has “greater authority to sit Westbrook down the stretch of games” and that “power might ultimately extend to eliminating Westbrook from the starting lineup,” according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic. 



<h2>Russell Westbrook-Lakers: Inevitable split?</h2>



According to reports from last season, Vogel was on the verge of making this move, but he held off because he was afraid of losing Westbrook permanently. All indications are that Westbrook and the Lakers are looking to split. 



The Los Angeles Lakers have been publicly trading him for <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-trade-rumors-lakers-have-other-targets-besides-kyrie-irving-2269-20220719-SPD-2269.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyrie Irving</a>. As of today, any possible trade is stalling. There is nothing the New York Knicks can do to compel a deal for Irving until the issue with Kevin Durant in Brooklyn is settled.

Lakers' coach Darvin Ham to have authority to bench Russell Westbrook - thesportsdrops NEWS

Lakers' coach Darvin Ham to have authority to bench Russell Westbrook

<a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-shannon-sharpe-wants-lebron-james-kyrie-irving-to-join-forces-again-1692-20220621-SPD-1692.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyrie Irving</a> and <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/report-russell-westbrook-will-opt-into-47m-option-to-return-to-the-lakers-1842-20220628-SPD-1842.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russell Westbrook</a> might be swapped in a deal between the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-nets-seeking-to-secure-a-deal-for-kevin-durant-after-star-requests-trade-1907-20220630-SPD-1907.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brooklyn Nets</a> and <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/no-lakers-stay-malik-monk-agrees-two-year-19-million-deal-with-kings-1912-20220630-SPD-1912.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, according to Chris Haynes. Other elements would need to be engaged, but there is ‘palpable confidence’ that the two parties may reach an agreement this summer.



According to Haynes, the Nets are interested in signing sharpshooting guard Joe Harris, who will be paid $38.6m over the next two years. However, rather than taking on Harris’ deal, the Lakers want the Nets to part with Seth Curry.



This week, both Irving and Westbrook exercised their player options, but now the two parties must work out a salary agreement. Both Irving and Westbrook have contracts worth $36.5 million and $47 million, respectively, for the next season. The Nets are also looking for draft compensation as part of the agreement.



<h2>Which team might be the winner of the trade?</h2>



Following the Nets’ acceptance of Kevin Durant’s request for a trade, Irving has selected the last year of a contract worth $36.4 million. However, it is expected that he could be dealt with soon afterward, as per Brian Windhorst.



The Lakers have nothing to lose. With LeBron James and Kyrie Irving having previously worked together for the Cavaliers, Irving is the team’s greatest opportunity to acquire more leadership this summer.

NBA Rumors: Lakers and Nets actively exploring Russell Westbrook-Kyrie Irving trade - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA Rumors: Lakers and Nets actively exploring Russell Westbrook-Kyrie Irving trade

Ever since the 2021-22 <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-new-lakers-contract-likely-off-table-for-lebron-james-1559-20220616-SPD-1559.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> season came to an end for the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-malik-monk-willing-to-take-less-money-to-return-to-the-lakers-1833-20220627-SPD-1833.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, the future of Russell Westbrook with the team was one of the biggest talking points in the league.



Brodie fell short of expectations in his first season with the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-jeanie-buss-explains-why-she-would-never-sell-the-lakers-622-20220510-SPD-622.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purple and Gold</a>, who failed to make the playoffs. Neither Lakers fans nor Westbrook himself seemed to have enjoyed their first year together, which is why many doubted he would return next season.



However, it looks like he’s ready to opt into a lucrative player option this offseason to stay in California for at least another year. According to Woj, Westbrook has made up his mind.



<h2>Report: Russell Westbrook to pick up $47m option with Lakers</h2>



(Via Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN)



“Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook is planning to exercise his $47.1 million option for the 2022-23 season to return to the franchise, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Westbrook’s agent, Thad Foucher, is planning to file the paperwork Tuesday, sources said. Westbrook has a Wednesday deadline on his option.”



It would have been a tough decision for Westbrook to turn down that kind of money, which is why this isn’t exactly a surprise. Now, Darvin Ham will try and get the best out of the former MVP.

Report: Russell Westbrook will opt into $47m option to return to the Lakers - thesportsdrops NEWS

Report: Russell Westbrook will opt into $47m option to return to the Lakers

It’s time for a new era for the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-new-lakers-coach-darvin-ham-plans-to-keep-russell-westbook-1379-20220608-SPD-1379.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> under new head coach <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-lakers-will-employ-darvin-ham-as-next-head-coach-1207-20220601-SPD-1207.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Darvin Ham.</a> The 48-year-old was presented to the media for the first time on Monday during a news conference during which he discussed his vision for the squad going into the 2022-23 season.



Ham described the reunion as a “homecoming” when he appeared at his news conference. Prior to joining the Atlanta Hawks in 2013, the 2004 NBA champion was an assistant coach for Mike Brown and Mike D’Antoni at the University of Kansas from 2011 to 2013.



Lakers defense, <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-lakers-hint-at-potential-russell-westbrook-stay-890-20220519-SPD-890.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russell Westbrook</a>‘s fit on the club, and expectations for <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-jeanie-buss-explains-why-she-would-never-sell-the-lakers-622-20220510-SPD-622.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anthony Davis</a> and <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-lakers-contemplated-reuniting-kyrie-irving-with-lebron-james-696-20220512-SPD-696.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LeBron James</a> were among the topics discussed by Ham throughout the interview. Ham has said that he is seeking someone who can take charge and wear multiple hats as he begins to construct his coaching team in Los Angeles.



<h2>What Ham expects of LeBron, Davis, and Westbrook</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Competitiveness, togetherness, and accountability. That’s going to be our mantra: competitiveness, togetherness, and accountability. That toughness everyone has been throwing around attached to my name, well that’s just being competitive. Being competitive you’ve got to be tough-minded, you have to be tough physically. Togetherness – it’s a team sport. We can’t have each other be out on an island… “Accountability, when we set this standard, we watch film, I have to be able to get on LeBron, get on Russ, get on AD, just like when I’m ready to get on Austin Reaves and Stanley Johnsons and the likes. It’s that accountability top to bottom, even as coaches, holding myself accountable… Regardless of the sport you’re gonna find those three ingredients.”<cite>Ham told Malika Andrews of ESPN</cite></blockquote>

NBA News: Darvin Ham has high expectations of Lakers' starstruck team - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA News: Darvin Ham has high expectations of Lakers' starstruck team

Triple-doubles are single-game performances.&nbsp;At least three of the five statistical categories (points/rebounds, assists/steals, steals/blocks) must be double-digits in order for a player to achieve a triple-double.



Points, rebounds, and assists are the most usual components of a triple-double, although players have been known to rack up 10 or more steals or blocks in a single game.



Since the 1979-80 season, triple-doubles have been officially recorded in the NBA as a stat. At the end of the campaign, there were 32 triple-doubles, a 12-point increase over the season before it.



<h2>The NBA players with the most triple-doubles</h2>



In terms of total triple-doubles in the NBA, Russell Westbrook currently holds the record with 182. He&nbsp;became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer on May 11, 2021, in a game between the Wizards and Hawks.



He broke the previous record set by&nbsp;Oscar Robertson of 181, which lasted for 47 years. In third is Magic Johnson with 138, followed by Jason Kidd, who stopped counting&nbsp;at 107.&nbsp;There are just five current players in the top 10, with LeBron James in fifth place with 105 triple-doubles.&nbsp;



The other current players are Nikola Jokic (76), James Harden (69), and Luka Doncic (46), who has risen to 10th place with 45 career triple-doubles.&nbsp;With 19 triple-doubles in the regular&nbsp;2021-22 season, Jokic had&nbsp;quickly risen in the ranks.

Russell Westbrook