The confusion is over Of Russell Westbrook With the future The Arians — and his desire for one — came to the fore Friday night when his longtime agent told ESPN that he and Westbrook were no longer working together.
The Times has confirmed Wasserman’s split with Westbrook’s Thad Faucher. The 33-year-old has represented Westbrook his entire NBA career.
In a statement to ESPN, Faucher attributed the breakup with Westbrook to “irreconcilable differences.” Foucher told ESPN that Westbrook’s “best option would be to stay with the Lakers, take on the starting role and back it up.” Darwin Ham publicly provided.”
Multiple sources with knowledge of Westbrook and the Lakers’ thinking told The Times that Westbrook never requested a trade. Earlier this season, he Final year exam His contract will pay him $47 million this coming season.
Additional sources told The Times that the decision to part ways with Future had “nothing to do with the Lakers.”
The Times tried to reach Faucher, but messages were not returned.
However, the relationship between the Lakers and Westbrook has been strained this season. He attended the Lakers summer league opener in Las Vegas, but he and LeBron JamesThe man who was there didn’t even speak – a stark contrast to their time together last summer.
The awkwardness was noted throughout NBA circles, with strong hopes that the Lakers’ biggest stars would have to be traded to the team. Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving.
There is still hope among some players that Irving could be signed.
Although Westbrook hasn’t formally requested a settlement, a new situation could benefit the nine-time All-Star after a disastrous turn with the Lakers.
However, the messiness of the situation complicates things for the Lakers, who are coming off a 33-49 season.
Westbrook has been the subject of trade rumors since the middle of last season, with his partnership with James and Anthony Davis With a combination of injuries and poor matchups among the stars, consistent success never resulted, and the Lakers ultimately missed the postseason.
Despite the former league most valuable player and no real market for his $47-million price tag, the team has discussed Westbrook in trade recaps around the NBA.
Foucher said in his statement to ESPN that rival agents called it unusual, a trade that would undoubtedly affect Westbrook’s value.
“Now, with the possibility of a fourth trade in four years, the market is telling the Lakers that they want to add more value with Russell in any trade scenario. Even so, such a trade would require Russell to leave the new team with an immediate buyout,” Faucher said in the statement. Only helps and his best option is to stay with the Lakers, embrace the starting role and support that Darwin Hamm has publicly provided. Russell is a first-time Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and will prove it again before he retires.
“Unfortunately, there are irreconcilable differences in his ideal path and we are no longer working together. My best wishes to Russell and his family.”
Last season, Westbrook averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 78 games.
Since his hiring as Lakers coach in late May, Hamm has been outspoken in his praise of Westbrook, who attended Hamm’s introductory news conference.
“Don’t mess with it. Russell is one of the best players our league has ever seen,” Hamm said during his introduction. “He’s got a ton more in that tank. I don’t know why people keep trying to write him off.
