Rob Pelinka On Russell Westbrook: He Needs To Be A Defense-first Player

Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Asked about Russell Westbrook, Rob Pelinka said if Russ picks up his player option to return, there have been multiple convos between Pelinka/Darvin Ham and Westbrook, with the message that they want Russ to focus first on defense. – 1:10 AM

Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Rob Pelinka declines to say exactly what the team will do with the team options for Austin Reaves (fairly obvious opt-in), Stanley Johnson and Wenyen Gabriel, but says all three have been in the building and they’ve seen growth with all of them. – 1:09 AM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
When it comes to acquiring players this offseason in trades or through free agency, I asked Rob Pelinka where he ranks availability history and leadership qualities in his player evaluations. Pelinka: “Those are core characteristics we really look for.” – 1:09 AM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka said he and coach Darvin Ham had meetings with Russell Westbrook. Pelinka: “We’ve been honest about how he fits with this team and what we expect from him next year.” Pelinka said that Russ is embracing Ham’s defensive philosophy – 1:07 AM

Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Rob Pelinka says Russell Westbrook has indicated to Darvin Ham that he’s ready to embrace a “defense-first” philosophy. Says Russ hasn’t told the Lakers definitively what he’s doing with his $47.1M option, but: “If he comes back, he will be embraced here with open arms.” – 1:05 AM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Rob Pelinka says he and Davin Ham have had multiple meetings with Russell Westbrook and have been honest about Russ’ role on the team and that he needs to be a defense-first…