Russell Westbrook ‘more likely’ to be off Lakers' active roster following Patrick Beverley trade: report

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The Los Angeles Lakers' trade with the Utah Jazz for guard Patrick Beverley on Thursday was intriguing on a few fronts. 

The trade is interesting for the future of guard Donovan Mitchell in Utah, as the Jazz enter a rebuild with the departure of head coach Quin Snyder and three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert during the offseason. The New York Knicks and the Jazz have been flirting all offseason with the idea of a Mitchell transaction, and many around the league believe that Utah is not done with their offseason moves following Thursday’s deal. 

Patrick Beverley, then of the Minnesota Timberwolves, shoots a free throw against the Memphis Grizzlies during Round 1 Game 5 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 26, 2022. (Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

The other part of the trade that raises an eyebrow is the pairing of Beverley with Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook.

LAKERS ACQUIRE PATRICK BEVERLEY FROM UTAH JAZZ FOR TALEN HORTON-TUCKER, STANLEY JOHNSON: REPORT 

On its face, Beverley would be the backup point guard behind Westbrook, providing tenacious defense and play making off the bench. 

But there’s one heck of a history between Westbrook and Beverley, and the idea that the two players will suddenly put their differences aside seems far-fetched. 

LAKERS’ RUSSELL WESTBROOK RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM LEBRON JAMES, PATRICK BEVERLEY AS OLD RIVALS BECOME TEAMMATES 

The acquisition of Beverley makes it more likely that the Lakers will either trade Westbrook or send him home before training camp, according to a report by The Athletic.

Russell Westbrook, left, and LeBron James of the Los Angeles