Recently a new report from The Athletic came out suggesting that the Lakers could trade Russell Westbrook in the coming weeks and months. The former NBA MVP is preparing for the season with the team even though his future remains uncertain.
Following the team’s first preseason game against the Kings, head coach Darvin Ham was asked about the Westbrook trade rumors and whether he spoke with the player about it.
“Russ is a Los Angeles Laker. I’m the coach. We talk about Laker business. More specifically the business of basketball that we have together in terms of how we gonna play, how he’s gonna be effective in this system,” Ham said.
“Any outside noise we don’t pay attention to it. It’s pretty difficult when you have smartphones and all that these days. But at the end of the day since I got the job he’s been nothing but supportive, as with Bron and AD as well.
“We just coach our team, our players listen to us they’re trying to figure out this new system both defensively and offensively. Any outside noise that comes that’s part for the course. It comes with the business.
“He’s a Los Angeles Laker the last time I checked and I’m really not mad at that. He showed tonight he’s gonna thrive in this system. That’s about all I can say about that.”
