‘Hell No’: Wizards GM Reveals How Russell Westbrook Rejected Clippers for the Lakers

Russell Westbrook joined the Lakers last month, his fourth team in three years. The operation to get Russell Westbrook wasn’t easy for the Lakers. But now finally, Westbrook is a Laker and is ready to don the purple and gold jersey. The 2017 MVP is also a 9-time All-Star, but the only trophy missing from his cabinet is the NBA championship.

Westbrook was professional throughout his trade sage and cooperated with the management. The trade deal with the Lakers was in the best interest of the ‘triple double’ king, but Wizards GM revealed that Russell never asked for a trade.

Washington Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard recently opened up on Russell Westbrook’s trade. He talked about how Westbrook was professional throughout the process. But Sheppard also revealed that Westbrook rejected the Clippers.

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Russell Westbrook rejected the Clippers, says Wizards GM

Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard recently appeared in an interview on NBC Sports. During the interview, Sheppard revealed that Westbrook only wanted the Lakers and rejected the other team from LA.

“I really have to make sure the record is straight on that,” Sheppard told NBC Sports Washington’s Chris Miller.

“Russell actually never asked to move on. He just said, ‘If I can get to the Lakers, that’d be something I would love to do. If not, I’ll be back here.’ I said, ‘What about the Clippers?’ He said, ‘Hell no’.”

Russell Westbrook was born in Long Beach in LA, he was raised in the suburbs of the city. Westbrook grew up watching the Lakers win championships with legendary players on their roster. So when an opportunity opened up to play alongside the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Westbrook politely expressed his desire to join them.

But Westbrook rejected the other side of the LA, the Clippers in the process. The Clippers may have a city rivalry with the Lakers, but they are nowhere near the Lakers in terms of legacy. They have, however, been making progress in the past few years. They made it to the Conference Finals for the first time in their history last season and have now got their own court. The Clippers are finally building for a better future.

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