If given the chance, nearly every NBA player would jump at the opportunity to wear the Purple and Gold, who have a history of 17 rings. Wait, everyone except Russell Westbrook. The tension between him and the Lakers still lingers, recently resurfacing during a fan signing event. While Westbrook graciously met supporters and signed jerseys, one particular interaction caught everyone’s attention. His reaction quickly went viral, adding another chapter to the ongoing conversation surrounding his post-Lakers journey.

A video circulating online shows Westbrook politely declining to sign a Lakers jersey presented by a fan. Instead of signing the purple and gold jersey, the guard offered the fan a wristband as an alternative gesture. This interaction gains additional context considering Westbrook’s previous history with similar situations during his Lakers tenure. In 2023, he was also recorded declining to sign a Lakers jersey for a young fan outside a New York City hotel.

The incident appears to support comments made by former teammate Patrick Beverley, who recently defended Westbrook’s career trajectory. Beverley passionately stated, “It’s fucked up what happened to Russ, bro. On God, it’s fucked up what happened to Russ. And Russ got a bad take because of that Lakers team. That’s the truth, bro.” He further emphasized his point by noting, “Ever since Russ left the Lakers, bro, he’s been on a minimum, bro. We’ve never seen this ever.”

Westbrook joined the Lakers in August 2021 via trade from the Washington Wizards, forming a theoretical super team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The highly anticipated season ended in major disappointment, with the Lakers finishing 33-49 and missing the playoffs entirely. Though it was a collective failure, Westbrook had to shoulder the majority of the blame. While LeBron played 56, Russell started 78 games and averaged a decent 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists that season.

What worked against him was his efficiency, shooting 29.8% from three-point range and committing 3.8 turnovers per game. In the very next year, the Lakers started clipping him from the starting 5 and restricted his minutes. From 78 of 78 to 3 games started of 52 played, his morale hit rock bottom. Things started going worse when the Lakers’ fanbase started calling him names. But Beverley isn’t ready to take that allegation.

“We’ve never seen a player who’s been the MVP, who’s impacted the game, who they call him names and tell him that he can’t shoot. Go to the playoffs, shoot 40 with the Clippers the very next year. Take a less demeaning role with the Lakers. Take a less demeaning role with the Clippers. He’s been a sixth man ever since he’s left the Lakers. He’s a starting point guard in the NBA. He’s arguably one of the top three point guards to ever play the game.”

Westbrook’s time with the Lakers was described by sources as “toxic,” according to reports from The Athletic. The partnership lasted only 18 months before ending in a three-team trade that sent him to the Utah Jazz. During his Lakers tenure, the team posted a 22-22 record in games where Westbrook played alongside LeBron James.

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The nine-time All-Star has played for three different teams since leaving the LA Lakers, most recently with the Denver Nuggets, before signing with the Sacramento Kings, but has failed to fire like his pre-Laker days. Throughout this period, he has accepted bench roles and minimum contracts, a significant shift for a former MVP who once commanded maximum salary deals. Beverley’s comments suggest this career trajectory stems from perceptions formed during Westbrook’s challenging Lakers stint rather than his actual basketball capabilities.

Moreover, Patrick Beverley is not the only one who called out the Lakers for being responsible for Westbrook. Turns out another ex-teammate stood up for Russell, blaming the Lakers

and LeBron James for Westbrook’s downfall.

Ex-teammate calls out LeBron James and the Lakers for Russell Westbrook situation

Former NBA center Enes Kanter has launched sharp criticism at LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers organization, claiming they fundamentally damaged Russell Westbrook’s career. Kanter, who played alongside Westbrook with the Oklahoma City Thunder, argues that Westbrook became the unfortunate scapegoat during his challenging season with the Lakers. He suggests this narrative has unfairly followed the former MVP ever since.

During an appearance on his Lazy Intellectuals podcast, Kanter directly stated his position, saying, “It all started with the Lakers. Look at his career as soon as he went to the Lakers… if you’re playing with someone like Lebron, and if the season fails then you need some kind of scapegoat.” The Lakers in 2021-22 sat alongside the bottom 5 teams of the Western Conference, so the answer wasn’t going to be easy. According to Kanter, it was Westbrook’s time to be that scapegoat.

Kanter further added, “I think that year they picked Russell Westbrook as a scapegoat. After that, look at his career right now… this guy unfortunately can’t even find a team to play right now, it’s tough.” After keeping the Nuggets’ offer aside, Westbrook’s career was hanging by a thin thread until the Kings came to the rescue. Kanter also expressed concern about the personal impact on Westbrook, adding that “people were just calling some very hard names, nicknames I don’t even want to repeat it I feel bad…”

This is not the first time Kanter has directed strong criticism toward LeBron James. In a July 2024 interview, he claimed that “the reason that he (Bronny James) got drafted was because of LeBron. The reason JJ Redick is the coach is because of LeBron.” He has previously described James as “literally, like the dictator of the NBA,” suggesting this controlling nature deters major free agents from joining him. Kanter’s recent comments continue his pattern of vocal criticism regarding James’ influence within the Lakers, and then it was Russell Westbrook who was the target that year, feels this former teammate.