Biggest winners and losers from the Los Angeles Lakers preseason

By Jason Reed | Oct 17, 2022

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 06: Matt Ryan #37 of the Los Angeles Lakers is greeted by fans as he takes the court for warmups before a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at T-Mobile Arena on October 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 114-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Loser: Russell Westbrook

It was going to be really hard for Russell Westbrook to come out as a winner this preseason. For that to happen, Westbrook was going to have to showcase the change in his game and play style that was promised to Lakers fans by Darvin Ham during the offseason.

Some fans bought into that dream scenario but most knew that Westbrook was never going to change as he has not changed during his career. Westbrook was always going to be the same guy and for the most part, we saw the same player on the court that we saw last season.

It became clear that the other guards on the roster were simply better than Westbrook and he did not even make it to the end of the preseason before getting moved to the bench. At least the Lakers are showing that they will be proactive with the Westbrook experience this season.

Not only has the play on the court been underwhelming, but the narrative surrounding Westbrook and the team off the court have not been great as well. It is very obvious that the Lakers are going to trade Westbrook the minute they get an offer they like, which is not great for their attempts of getting Westbrook to buy in.

Quite frankly, the season feels dead on arrival until the team can clear out this very obvious elephant in the room.

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