Many in the Los Angeles Lakers organization have been increasingly pushing for demotion to nine-time All-Star guard Russell Westbrook from the starting lineup, but so far coach Frank Vogel has resisted removing him from the bench, sources told ESPN.
The coaching staff and Westbrook had different views on how best to use the 2017 NBA MVP, sources say, and that partly explains some tense moments between Vogel and Westbrook over the past few days, including during Friday’s team shoot. . .
The growing disappointment reflects a season turning into a free fall. The Lakers have lost 11 of their last 14 games, including four in a row, and are down 27–35. Los Angeles is just a polygame ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans and retains ninth place in the Western Conference.
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Westbrook spent the season looking for the best way to succeed in his ever-changing role, which increasingly found him in an unfamiliar situation away from the ball and from the game. This season, Westbrook averaged 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists in 34.4 minutes per game.
Vogel says Westbrook still has an opportunity to shine at the end of the season, as he did last season with the Washington Wizards.
When asked about the possibility of the 33-year-old Westbrook taking on the bench role, Vogel told reporters Friday afternoon: “We have discussions, just like the front office has thousands of trade discussions every deadline, and they do not discuss each of them. Most of them are not implemented. And that’s where Russ and I are. Is there a way where this is the best option? We were talking about it. We talked about everything we can do with our team.
“We’re not there.”
Westbrook, who is shooting under 30% for the fourth time in five seasons, has under 20 points in 10 straight games, his longest streak since 2009. season 2022-23.