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Russell Westbrook will be coming off the bench for the LA Lakers after their 0-4 start, according to reports Friday. ESPN's Kendrick Perkins believes that Westbrook's role as a substitute could be the beginning of the point guard's stretch with Los Angeles.
In an attempt to start winning, the coaching staff has decided to take Westbrook out of the starting lineup. The Lakers visit the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-2) on Friday night. Even this decision, however, may not make any significant impact.
Perkins, Westbrook's former teammate, is skeptical about the whole lineup change that Los Angeles is willing to try. On ESPN's "NBA Today," Perkins enumerated his reasons as to why he's not completely sold with the team's strategy.
"Shout out to Darvin Ham for doing what's best for the team, right? And not losing his locker room because of one individual in trying to make him happy," Perk said. "This is an audition for Russell Westbrook, not just to help the Lakers get wins. But this is an audition, because the rest of the world is going to be watching to see how he handles this situation.
"I honestly don't believe he is going to handle it well. ... This is the just first step of the ending of Russell Westbrook in the Los Angeles Lakers. The world is watching him. The NBA world is watching him."
Perkins said that with the nine-time All-Star coming off the bench, it could damage his relationship with the organization. The former champion isn't buying in on what the team is trying to do with Westbrook, believing it could be a much bigger problem down the line.
Darvin Ham is prioritizing a win with Lakers trying different combinations
As of this moment, Los Angeles still hasn't gotten a win. Their new coach Darvin Ham is still optimistic that the team will start winning after it finds the right lineup.
They've remained loyal to their starting lineup of Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, Lonnie Walker IV, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The only instance when the lineup was changed was against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. Austin Reaves started in Westbrook's absence due to a hamstring injury.
The Lakers are currently at the bottom of the Western Conference. Even the Houston Rockets (1-4), who have less starpower, have a win, unlike the famed franchise. If the Lakers lose against the Timberwolves, the front office may start shaking things up.
It's not easy playing for the Lakers as they strive for greatness. But in the previous two seasons, they've been below average, losing in the first round of the 2021 playoffs and slogging to a 33-49 mark last season. The moves the front office have made haven't moved the needle.
As of this moment, putting Russell Westbrook on the bench is their best option. But will it make any difference?
