The Los Angeles Lakers and their woes throughout the season have been on public display. The purple and gold started the season with five straight losses, and it was understood that they’d not be able to dig their feet into the league. In an attempt to salvage their campaign, they made many deals before the trade deadline. Amongst those many deals, Russell Westbrook was also one to be traded. The Lakers’ plan with the 2017 MVP never came to fruition, and they had to part their ways with the 34-year-old. A few Days later, the Lakers’ GM candidly spoke on the trade, possibly in response to Westbrook’s comment on the matter.

The Lakers’ GM Rob Pelinka mentioned how the Westbrook trade was due to their unfulfilled plans for the season. It came just a day after Westbrook’s comments on why he couldn’t perform to his full abilities in the league.

Rob Pelinka mentions why Russell Westbrook didn’t work for the Purple and Gold

The Los Angeles side wouldn’t do themselves any favor if they didn’t make some essential trades before the trade deadline window. The team wasn’t clicking and it was obvious what didn’t work for them. 

Trading Russell Westbrook was necessary for both parties, a fact that even Westbrook couldn’t deny as he mentioned his problems with the team. Just a few days after the comment, in an ESPN report by Dave McMenamin, Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ GM explained the team’s outlook toward the Westbrook trade.

“Our aspirations when we did the Westbrook trade was it would lead to a championship, a contending team.” said Pelinka. He further added, “We didn’t meet that goal. So you have to then look to pivot if something is not working to correct it.”

However, when Pelinka further discussed the trade, he refused to blame Brodie for the failure of the squad, mentioning how the “whole roster has to come together and fit“. The team created by the Lakers was unable to assist LeBron James, even though he was performing quite well compared to the team.

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Russell Westbrook was mostly of the same opinion, but he phrased it in a different way than his former boss. Brodie mentioned the difficulties of adapting while coming off the bench.

Russell Westbrook on why he didn’t fit in with the Lakers 

When he first joined the Lakers, there were high expectations from the 2017 NBA MVP, but much of the hype soon subsided. Understandably, the team thought it would be better if he came off the bench. It was better in comparison, but in no way was it helpful in changing the course of the Lakers’ season.

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The nine-time All-Star mentioned how he was not “accustomed” to being out for a long time with a back injury and coming out on the court immediately after recovery. Implying that he was demanded more of than he could provide. Westbrook has now signed with the Los Angeles Clippers after he agreed to a contract buyout with the Utah Jazz.