“They are trying to TRADE you” Kendrick Perkins delivers strong and harsh advice to Russell Westbrook amid trade rumors
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Kendrick Perkins and Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook, the team’s star point guard and former MVP, continues to make his presence felt even as the Lakers try behind the scenes to trade him. Russ made a surprise visit and turned up to support his side at L.A.’s Summer League game on Friday. Westbrook’s former teammate and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins claims that he shouldn’t have bothered to go at all. Since the season concluded, Westbrook has done a remarkable job of keeping his focus on the team and conducting himself professionally. He gained attention for being there at the first press conference for Darvin Ham and for attending the Las Vegas Summer League.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2021–22 season was nearly as terrible as it could have been. Russell Westbrook was one person who, for better or worse, received more and more criticism for this, and he is still facing pressure. Russ needs to be aware of his position with the Lakers. For him, this season was a nightmare, and the franchise as a whole suffered. All indications point to the same outcome after another season with him, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.
Does Russell Westbrook need to be given another chance to prove?
The Lakers gave up three of their players and a few lottery picks to get Russell Westbrook, hence the point guard’s first season with the team did not go as anticipated. In the 2021–22 season, the nine-time All-Star averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 29.8 percent from outside the arc. The former MVP occasionally struggled to adapt to L.A.’s approach since he and James are both ball-dominant players. There were speculations of a possible trade since it was obvious that the fit with the Lakers’ offense was not ideal.
Over the course of his 14-year career, Russell Westbrook has established himself as one of the best in the NBA at attacking in the open court, getting to the basket, finishing, and finding the open teammate. This season, Westbrook wasn’t really an MVP-caliber player, whether it was because of ageing, roster instability brought on by injuries, or a confidence problem. Among the several players who sustained injuries last season were James and Davis, who missed a combined 60 games for the Lakers. Recently, Davis, who endured several injuries and missed almost half the season, attributed the team’s failure on injuries.
Kendrick Perkins with a piece of advice for his former teammate
On Get Up, Kendrick Perkins offered his opinion on why Westbrook might be best placed avoiding the Lakers’ programmes. He said: “I’m mad at Russell Westbrook for actually showing up and attending Lakers events, like the Summer League, knowing that they’re trying to trade you! I’m not showing up to nothing. As a matter of fact, get me out of here!”
There is definitely a problem in Los Angeles and Westbrook’s time with the Lakers is numbered with Kyrie Irving on the market and LeBron pressuring his club to do everything it takes to get him. Westbrook is forced to put his head down and work even harder since he has no control over the possibility of being traded. The 33-year-old is obviously no longer the superstar player he once was, but he still has a chance to improve an NBA club in the future.
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Irvin Philip
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