Russell Westbrook is the NBA's triple-double king, but he doesn't command the respect that should come along with it, according to former Los Angeles Lakers star Patrick Beverley. The veteran guard played alongside Westbrook in Los Angeles during the 2022-23 season.
Westbrook was in the middle of a long free agency, which saw a closure this week with the Sacramento Kings coming forward to hand him a deal for the 2025-26 NBA season. But before this development came around, Beverley called out the Lakers for Westbrook's free agency situation that turned out to be longer than expected.
Beverley pointed out that ever since Westbrook left the Lakers, he has been void of a starting role and is on a minimum deal.
“It’s f—ed up what happened to Russ, bro … And Russ got a bad take because of that Lakers team,” Beverley said. “We’ve never seen a player who’s been an MVP, who’s impacted the game, get treated like this.”
Beverley said Westbrook has sacrificed for the team, selflessly taking on lesser roles with the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers. The former Lakers guard added in his praise for the former MVP:
"He’s arguably one of the top three point guards to ever play the game. You tell me this man can’t get on a team — all because he’s passionate, all because he stretches with the team every single f—ing practice, all because if there’s a team outing, he’s there all the f—ing time."
It’s messed up how we’re treating out legends man… pic.twitter.com/JnPW46oOqV
— Pat Bev Pod (@PatBevPod) October 15, 2025
Pat Beverley testifies to Russell Westbrook's legacy as teammate
Russell Westbrook, who is a nine-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA First Team, will play his 18th season in 2025-26. He's getting the admiration he deserves from Patrick Beverley, who testified on behalf of Lakers guard Austin Reaves and Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George.
"If you talk to anyone around the league, they’ll tell you, ‘Russ is the best teammate I ever had.’ I talked to Paul George — ‘Hey P, hey Pat, you gonna love Russ.’ Austin Reaves — ‘Russ is one of the best teammates I ever had,’" Beverley said.
Overall, Beverley wanted to let it be known that the NBA teams didn't treat Westbrook with respect this free agency.