Russell Westbrook’s official joining of the Los Angeles Lakers has shocked NBA fans. After the 2020-21 season with results that did not meet expectations, the Lakers have acquired the services of a top defender in the league. Besides Anthony Davis and LeBron James, Russell Westbrook will bring explosion and excitement to fans of the yellow-purple team.

Two weeks before the “blockbuster” transfer broke out, Russell Westbrook had a conversation with Anthony Davis and LeBron James. The three stars had a nice dinner together and discussed their decisions if Westbrook joined the Lakers. It was this dinner that decided the shocking deal when Westbrook quickly became teammates with Davis and James.

At the cozy meal, the three All-Star players mentioned the issue of putting aside ego and working together to bring the next championship to the Lakers. Before that, James, Davis and Westbrook were all the biggest stars of the team they played for. If Westbrook can integrate the way Davis and James have over the past two years, the Lakers will become a leading force in the upcoming season.

Russell Westbrook shared with his Lakers teammates that he is willing to not hold the ball at times when James and Davis actively attack and score points. Russell Westbrook has done this quite well during his time playing alongside James Harden at the Houston Rockets. Now playing for his hometown team, the California native has only one goal: to win a championship with the Lakers.

Besides, LeBron James and Anthony Davis decided to change their playing positions when Russell Westbrook took charge of leading the play. Anthony Davis will return to the center position, while LeBron James will take on the role of striker. The lack of a worthy coordinating defender causes James to take on this responsibility in the 2020-21 season, and the joining of Russell Westbrook helps the Lakers’ superstars return to their forte.

To get the services of Russell Westbrook, the Lakers had to trade Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and Pick 22 of the 2021 NBA Draft to the Washington Wizards. Russell Westbrook has always been known as a top explosive player in the NBA. The 32-year-old defender’s fierceness and fire always bring great energy to his teammates and spectators wherever he plays.

In the 2020-21 season, Russell Westbrook averaged 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 11.7 assists per game. This is the fourth season that Westbrook has had a triple-double in stats, a rare consistency. In addition, the record for triple-doubles was overthrown by Russell Westbrook at 184. Westbrook will be a reliable trigger for the Lakers alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James, who has turned 36 years old.