KrispyLakersNation
The Los Angeles Lakers had a rocky start to their season, but the in-season turnaround they achieved was nothing short of remarkable. It was evident from their first few games that the roster they started with wasn’t working, and they entered the trade deadline as the 13th seed in the Western Conference. With some shrewd trades, they reshaped their roster by bringing in fresh talent and sending away underperforming players like Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley.
These changes paid off in a big way, and the Lakers went on to have the best record in the West post-deadline, climbing all the way up to the seventh seed for the playoffs. Their stunning postseason performances so far have cemented their status as true contenders, with victories over the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies and a 1-0 lead over the defending champions, the Golden State Warriors. If they continue to play at this level, the Lakers’ 18th championship banner could soon be hanging in the rafters.
Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley are both former members of the Los Angeles Lakers who want championship rings if the team takes home the title in the playoffs. During a chance meeting at the gym, Westbrook told Beverley that he wants his ring if the Lakers win it all, and Beverley expressed the same sentiment.
The two guards were part of a major roster overhaul for the Lakers that brought in new players like D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley. The changes helped the team turn around their season and become a legitimate championship contender, with a 1-0 lead over the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the playoffs.
Despite their contributions to the team earlier in the season, it would feel hollow if Westbrook and Beverley received championship rings for a team they didn’t even suit up for in the playoffs. For Westbrook in particular, as an all-time great and member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, the ring wouldn’t hold the same meaning as it would if he were an active part of the team’s playoff run. Nonetheless, it remains up to the organization to decide if they want to give rings to former players, and it’s clear that both Westbrook and Beverley would be happy to receive them if the Lakers win it all.
