Westbrook “Ghosts” the Lakers: No Autographs
Before the preseason game against his former team, Russell Westbrook stopped to sign fans’ jerseys, all of them except the Lakers
Russell Westbrook has just begun his new journey with the Sacramento Kings on a one-year contract worth just over $3.6 million. Before the preseason California derby against the Lakers – which his teammates won 117 to 116 – the veteran and former MVP took a moment to greet some young fans courtside.
Among the jerseys held out to him were almost all the teams from his career: Thunder, Rockets… and of course, Lakers. Westbrook signed them one by one – except for the purple and gold ones – which he pointedly ignored. A small gesture with a very clear message, seemingly closing the chapter of his time with the Lakers for good.
Westbrook played a season and a half with the Lakers from 2021 to 2023, totaling 130 games, averaging 17.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 7.2 assists. Solid stats, but they never translated into a real fit – either on the court or in the locker room – and his time ended in a trade and buyout before landing on the other side of the city, with the Clippers.
In recent years, the former MVP has successfully reinvented himself as a sixth man – first with the Clippers and then in Denver – and he’s now set to begin his 18th NBA season with Sacramento, debuting on October 22 against the Phoenix Suns.
But many doubts remain: with LaVine, DeRozan, and Monk all used to have the ball in their hands, competition on the floor looks tough. Not to mention the arrival of Dennis Schroder, fresh off a standout EuroBasket performance with Germany and a strong showing in the win over the Lakers, recording 25 points, 2 assists, and 3 rebounds.
Everything points to Westbrook being brought in to play the role of a charismatic leader in the locker room eager to bounce back from last season’s disappointment, after their historic return to the playoffs in 2023.