There haven’t been many positives when it comes to the season that the Los Angeles Lakers have had. They have a lot of work to do to climb back into the playoff picture as they are currently on the outside looking in of even the NBA Play-In Tournament in the Western Conference.
Looking to make a move up the standings, the Lakers were very active ahead of the trade deadline. They made numerous deals that resulted in multiple players being on the move. Two of the players that ended up being traded were Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook.
Beverley was traded to the Orlando Magic for Mo Bamba but never reported to the team. He was bought out and will be signing with the Chicago Bulls. Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz and also didn’t report. Like Beverley, Westbrook was bought out and will be remaining in Los Angeles, signing with the Clippers.
The Clippers are a team that Beverley is very familiar with. Beverley has been well-traveled in his basketball career but one of the places that he stayed the longest was with the Clippers. He spent four seasons with the franchise before he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and then Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2021 offseason.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, LA Clippers & Chicago Bulls Updates
Westbrook will now look to help the Clippers on their quest for a championship after things didn’t pan out with the Lakers. Beverley believes that good things are on the horizon for his former bitter rival turned teammate and friend.
“You’re gonna love it there man. You’re going to love it there.” – is what Patrick Beverley texted Russell Westbrook after he chose to sign with the Clippers.
Westbrook should have a level of comfortability joining the Clippers. He remains home in Los Angeles as they share the same homecourt as the Lakers. The players on the team were also actively recruiting him, which should make him feel at home.
Paul George and Nicolas Batum both spoke highly of Westbrook when rumors began swirling that he could be bought out and become a free agent. George spent two seasons with Westbrook on the Oklahoma City Thunder while Batum respected the high level that Westbrook has played at previously in his career.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, LA Clippers & Chicago Bulls Updates
Now, the three of them will be teammates trying to get the Clippers their first championship in franchise history. It would be quite a feather in Westbrook’s cap if he could help them win a title after how poorly things went with the Lakers.
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