The Lakers Are Having More Fun After They Traded Russell Westbrook, Reveals NBA Insider

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Russell Westbrook saga finally ended this season, and NBA insider Jovan Buha believes the team is definitely having more fun with the point guard gone.

Speaking to HoopsHype, Buha said the situation between the Lakers and Westbrook had reached an ugly point. "I think they’re having a lot more fun now with the winning they’ve been doing since the trade deadline," he said.

"Many thought it was going to end over the summer, and they were going to trade him either for Kyrie Irving, for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield, or for a different package. That didn’t happen." He went on add that Westbrook didn't perhaps like the rumors and the negative attention he would have to face had he played out the rest of the season with LA.

Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team trade that saw the Purple and Gold land D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt. He was subsequently bought out and later inked a deal with the LA Clippers.

It's been a rather decent start for the explosive guard with his new team. He's been averaging 13.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists. He has been a starter for the side after playing sixth man for the Lakers this season, and the only time will tell if he can win his maiden title with the Clippers.

Darvin Ham Reportedly Shaded Russell Westbrook, Says The Team Is Having More 'Fun'

It appeared that Lakers head coach Darvin Ham echoed Buha's thoughts earlier by seemingly taking a shot at Westbrook. 

"We said it at the outset of the season," he said earlier this season after the Westbrook trade. "We want to be competitive together and accountable. Now that we made the acquisitions that we've made. Everybody is having fun in the locker room, competing their behinds off, pulling in the same direction. They really enjoy playing with each other and I think it really comes through in our play."

At this stage, the Lakers appear to be prime playoff contenders, and they definitely have been an improved unit since they added some offense to the mix.

Westbrook and the Lakers may have moved on, but the bigger question will remain at the end of it all: Who's having more fun? The Lakers or the Clippers? Only time will tell.

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