After 2 decades of a glorious basketball career, LeBron James would have never imagined the last leg would be filled with controversies. After reports of ‘cold’ times between the Lakers and him during the off-season, the King faced another backlash over his ‘second decision’ gimmick. Only to turn things worse, a former NBA player has dug out a LeBron, Lakers, and Russell Westbrook connection that puts the King’s image in a spot. However, a former teammate spoke in favor of the Lakers’ No. 23.

Danny Green, a former teammate of both LeBron James and Russell Westbrook, recently addressed the ongoing debate surrounding Westbrook’s absence from the league. Having won a championship with the Lakers, Green offered a unique perspective on his podcast, pushing back against the idea that LeBron is to blame. “There is always a scapegoat, and a lot of times it is somebody other than LeBron. But LeBron has been the scapegoat plenty of times.”

Green then pointed out a few instances when it was nobody but King who had to take the blame. “When he took his jersey off when he was about to leave Cleveland when they lost in the Boston series…He’s taken a lot of criticism when he lost to Dallas in the finals. He has been the scapegoat plenty of times before. He’s been playing for 23 years.” Speaking on the Westbrook issue, Green stressed that, “He is not the reason Russell Westbrook is not on a roster.”

According to Green, it’s easy for a few to link LeBron’s influence to every player’s downfall, but this case is different. The veteran guard explained that Westbrook’s challenges stem more from his own career decisions than from any external factor. After leaving the Lakers, Westbrook had respectable stints with the Clippers and the Nuggets, playing 89 and 75 games for the respective teams. This includes 21 on 21 games started in his Clippers debut year. However, the turning point came this past offseason.

Green revealed that Westbrook opted out of his contract with the Denver Nuggets even after being told the team did not plan to play him in the upcoming season. That decision, Green suggested, left him in a difficult position. “I feel like Russ is more out of pocket for opting out of his contract and not having one in place already,” he said, pointing to it as the real reason behind Westbrook’s current unemployment. However, all these justifications stemmed from this: former NBA player Enes Kanter publicly stated that:

“If you play with someone like LeBron, it’s all about LeBron, and if the season fails, then you need some kind of scapegoat. That year, they picked Russ as a scapegoat.” The Lakers‘ experiment with Russell Westbrook remains one of the most discussed failures in recent NBA history. His tumultuous time with the team, which ended with Westbrook being traded to the Utah Jazz in a 3 team deal, saw him become a target for intense fan criticism. This included fans chanting the derogatory nickname “Westbrick,” an experience Westbrook said was shaming for his family. While the sentiment around Westbrook’s harassment is understandable, LeBron has no part to play, feels a former teammate.

The truth behind Russell Westbrook’s Denver Nuggets departure

Russell Westbrook’s surprising departure from the Denver Nuggets and his subsequent inability to find a new NBA team have become major offseason stories. The former MVP declined his $3.4 million player option with the Denver Nuggets, a move that has so far left him without a roster spot. According to Danny Green, the split was triggered by a stark message from the Nuggets organization.

Recently, in a podcast, the 38-year-old former player revealed that the team communicated a clear plan for Westbrook’s future, or lack thereof. “From what I heard, they were not planning to play him at all this year,” Green stated. He added that this was the case “even behind certain guys he should be above.” This information provides the clearest explanation yet for why Westbrook would choose to test free agency.

Despite understanding the reasoning, Green was critical of Westbrook’s decision to opt out without a guaranteed new contract already in place. “You still take the guarantee. Make them trade you, whatever… Unless you know for sure that you have somebody in place,” Green commented. This internal view from Denver is supported by NBA insider Sam Amick, too.

After speaking with people in the Nuggets organization, Amick reported that some were baffled that Westbrook remains unsigned. “There were people within the Nuggets organization who, even with the difficulties Russ presented personality-wise, very plainly stated: ‘It’s bonkers that he’s not employed. He’s way too good to not be in the NBA,'” Amick revealed.

Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. also addressed rumors of locker room friction, calling them normal team dynamics. “The things that came out were normal things that happen within an NBA season,” Porter said. He defended Westbrook’s character, adding, “Russ — he’s a real positive dude, for sure.” Despite this support and his productive role last season, the Nuggets’ plan to bench him entirely ultimately led to the career gamble that has backfired.