Russell Westbrook, a former NBA MVP, remains unsigned in the free agency market, prompting numerous discussions among fans, analysts, and former players. One notable voice in this conversation is Enes Freedom, a former teammate of Westbrook, who expressed his belief that Westbrook still has the capability to contribute at the NBA level. “He can still play in the NBA,” Freedom stated, adding, “It’s crazy he cannot find a team.”
The discourse surrounding Westbrook’s current status includes various theories, with Freedom emphasizing the challenges that arose during Westbrook’s time with the Los Angeles Lakers. He pointed to the dynamics of playing alongside LeBron James, suggesting that the pressure to succeed can create a difficult environment. “It all started with the Lakers. Look at his career—as soon as he went to the Lakers,” Freedom explained. “I don’t want to blame anyone. I don’t want to blame LeBron or whatever, but it’s hard to play for the Lakers, man. If you play with someone like LeBron, it’s all about LeBron. If the season fails, then you need to have some kind of scapegoat.”
Westbrook joined the Lakers ahead of the 2021-2022 NBA season, participating in 130 regular-season games but failing to lead the team to the playoffs. Freedom noted, “I think that year they picked Russell Westbrook as a scapegoat.” This sentiment reflects a broader view that the struggles faced by the Lakers during that season negatively impacted Westbrook’s career trajectory.
During his initial season with the Lakers, Westbrook started all 78 games he played, averaging 18.5 points per game with a shooting percentage of 44 percent from the field. However, his performance from beyond the arc was less impressive, as he made only 29 percent of his three-point attempts. In his second season with the team, Westbrook’s role shifted significantly. He appeared in 52 games, starting in just three, and his scoring dropped to an average of 15.9 points, along with 6.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. His shooting percentages further declined, with only 41 percent from the field and 29 percent from three-point range.
In February 2023, Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz before reaching a buyout agreement with the team, subsequently joining the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite his efforts with the Clippers, Westbrook has yet to secure an NBA championship, with two runs proving unsuccessful. His stint with the Denver Nuggets also ended without a title, as he opted to decline his player option, entering free agency in search of a more stable role.
Currently, the Sacramento Kings have shown interest in Westbrook, though no formal agreement has materialized. Freedom believes that Westbrook’s identity as a “scapegoat” during his time with the Lakers significantly contributes to his ongoing challenges in finding a new team.
As the NBA landscape continues to evolve, Westbrook’s future remains uncertain, and discussions about his past and potential role in the league are likely to persist among fans and analysts alike.