Lakers Coach Darvin Ham Sends a Lovely Message to Russell Westbrook After He Joined the Clippers

• LA Lakers coach Darvin Ham has sent a lovely message to Russell Westbrook
• The Lakers traded the 2017 MVP to the Utah Jazz, who waived him soon after
• Westbrook is set to join the LA Clippers, his fourth NBA team in as many years

Russell Westbrook is officially a Los Angeles Clippers player.

The 2017 MVP hit the practice court shortly after signing the deal, joining up with the squad which gathered for the first time since the All-Star break.

The Lakers traded the nine-time All-Star to the Utah Jazz on the February 9 NBA trade deadline and his former coach, Darvin Hame has since sent a lovely message to Westbrook.

The Jazz waived soon after. Before clearing waivers, the 34-year-old held talks with several teams before settling on the Clippers, who are set to challenge for the NBA title this season.

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Westbrook joins former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate, Paul George, who lobbied for his team to sign him before the trade deadline.

Darvin Ham on Westbrook

Ham relegated Westbrook to a bench role earlier this season and he was productive. However, the team showed no improvement, forcing Rob Pelinka to move him.

Ham had nothing but love for his former player.

“Well, I’ll just say this: I appreciate Russ for everything he tried to do for us, for sacrificing, complying with my vision of him coming off the bench and having a more balanced lineup. I wish him well going forward and that’s it," he said via Clutchpoints.

The veteran point guard is averaging 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in 28.7 minutes per game, per USA Today.

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The Clippers are fourth in the Western Conference with a 33-28 record. With his experience, Westbrook should be a welcome addition. However, Ty Lue must find a defined role for the 15-year veteran.

Paul George recruits Westbrook

Sports Brief earlier reported on George openly recruiting Westbrook to join him at the Clippers, with the two playing together during the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons.

Lue's team traded Jackson, Wall and Luke Kennard to acquire Bones Hyland from Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets' Eric Gordon and Mason Plumlee.

The Los Angeles team has no traditional point guard and the potential addition of Westbrook could add a new dimension to the Clippers squad.