Patrick Beverley & Russell Westbrook want championship rings if the Lakers win. Are they serious?
Whether they have a point or not, both former Lakers were as divisive as can be, which leaves one to wonder whether they’re serious in their stance or not.
While it’s understandable to entertain - in any sport - the idea that if even a player is traded, released or sold during their team’s championship winning season they might be in line for a share of the spoils, to actually act on the notion is another thing completely. Yet, some former Lakers don’t see it that way.
Russell Westbrook & Patrick Beverley want rings if Lakers win NBA Finals
You might find yourself raising your eyebrows, but on Wednesday former Lakers guard Patrick Beverley stated that he would like to have a championship ring if the team manages to win a title this year. What’s even more eye-opening is that Beverley revealed that he had seen his fellow former teammate, Russell Westbrook, at the gym earlier that day and a similar sentiment was communicated.
“Russy goes, ‘Hey, Pat. Lakers win, I want my ring,’” Beverley said with a laugh. The Chicago Bulls player went on to divulge his own response to Westbrook, admitting that he was on board with the idea. “I ain’t gonna lie, Russ. We’re going to be suited and booted, boy. I’m going to be right there, waiting on that ring.” It’s interesting to note, that Beverley and Westbrook were once fierce rivals before they found themselves playing for the same team in LA, something that seemed to spark an immediate friendship. Unfortunately for the duo, their time together came to an end in February when the Lakers took the decision to restructure. Beverley was traded to the Orlando Magic, while Westbrook was dealt to the Utah Jazz, though ultimately both agreed to buyouts which saw them joining the Bulls and Clippers respectively.
Do Patrick Beverley & Russell Westbrook deserve rings?
So, here’s the thing: When Beverley and Westbrook played their final game for the Lakers, the team was sitting on a record of 25-30. Since then, the boys in yellow and purple went on something of a run which saw them end the season with a record of 43-39, win their play-in game, weather and advance from a tumultuous first-round series against the No. 2 seeded Memphis Grizzlies and win the first game of the Western Conference semifinal series against the defending champion, Golden State Warriors. It would be fair to say that neither Beverley nor Westbrook had any part in those results. Indeed, one could even argue that it’s because they were moved on that the Lakers managed to improve. Yet, there are others as well. Players such as Kendrick Nunn, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones and Thomas Bryant, all of whom were moved on prior to this moment.
Has this been done before?
Though it might surprise you, yes it has and not so long ago. In 2017, following the Warriors title win a ring was given to Andreson Varejao, who had been waived that February. By contrast, just two years later when the Toronto Raptors clinched the title, they didn’t see fit to reward Jonas Valanciunas, CJ Miles and Delon Wright, who had been traded midseason. “It’s not an easy decision,” Raptors general manager Bobby Webster said at the time, “but, to be honest, I think it’s standard.” Interestingly, Webster referred to the Varejao situation as “a really unique circumstance” when questioned about it.