Rob Pelinka: Russell Westbrook is a great part of our team

Melissa Rohlin: Rob Pelinka was asked how committed the Lakers are to Russ. He said if they need to upgrade the roster, they will. But he added that he thinks Russ is “a great part of our team,” adding he thinks Ham is gonna bring out the best in …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
State of the Lakers from Darvin Ham and Rob Pelinka. pic.twitter.com/TQsnvgMC0Y2:17 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
If LAL’s wing depth isn’t as prominent as its guard depth, Rob Pelinka said Patrick Beverley (who can guard up positions) and Dennis Schroder can mitigate some of that with their aggression and activity. Also cited Juan Toscano-Anderson’s toughness as fitting Darvin Ham’s style. – 2:15 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
“We have one of the great players of all time on our team in LeBron James, and he committed to us long term (with contract extension)… we’re committed to putting the best team around LeBron as long as its a smart trade.” Lakers GM Rob Pelinka – 2:15 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Rob Pelinka on the Lakers potentially trading their picks: “Let me be abundantly clear … (LeBron) committed to our organization, we’re going to commit to him – including those picks – to see him to the finish line.” He emphasizes that they only get one shot to trade the picks. – 2:14 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
When Rob Pelinka was asked how committed they are to Russell Westbrook, Pelinka said “for any player on our team, you always have to be reevaluating our roster.” But Pelinka expressed confidence in how Westbrook will play this season – 2:14 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Rob Pelinka says that the Lakers will do everything they can to improve the roster — including trading first-round picks — because of the commitment that LeBron James gave them this summer by signing an extension. – 2:14 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Rob Pelinka was asked how committed the Lakers are to Russ. He said if they need to upgrade the roster, they will. But he added that he thinks Russ is “a great part of our team,” adding he thinks Ham is gonna bring out the best in him. – 2:13 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Pushed by @Bill Plaschke if he can commit to Russell Westbrook’s future on the team, Pelinka said he will be looking at the roster and opportunities to upgrade. But adds Westbrook is one of the great players in the game, and Ham will bring “another level” out of him this year. – 2:13 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
“We’re a ways away,” Ham says when asked about who starts in the backcourt, specifically regarding Westbrook. Lots of options. No commitment to having him start. BK – 2:11 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Lakers coach Darvin Ham said it’s too early to break down the depth chart. But when I asked if Russell Westbrook is the definitive starter this season, Ham said “we have a lot of options.” – 2:10 PM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
Darvin Ham said he has not determined a starting lineup yet when asked about Russell Westbrook starting or coming off the bench. – 2:07 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Darvin Ham when asked if Russell Westbrook will start: “We’re a ways away. We’ve got several options.” – 2:06 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Darvin Ham on if Russell Westbrook is a definitive starter: “We’re a ways away. We have several options.” – 2:06 PM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
Rob Pelinka said he and Jeanie Buss, Darvin Ham and others have met with Russell Westbrook several times this offseason and they believe he is indeed “all in” this season. – 2:06 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
“Russ has been great all offseason… Russ is an extremely competitive player and person… and he has reflected that all offseason that he’s all-in to win,” Rob Pelinka on Westbrook relationship. – 2:06 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Rob Pelinka says Darvin has “strong shoulders and a tough mindset” and the Lakers wanted to give him a roster that would compete hard every night. Pelinka says if players aren’t competing at that level, they won’t be getting opportunities. – 2:05 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Rob Pelinka: “Darvin and I have spent hundreds of hours going over and over again how we want this team to reflect some of the qualities he stands for the most … Our Laker fans deserve one thing: “a team that’s going to compete the hardest (of any team) in the NBA.” – 2:04 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Rob Pelinka: “Our Laker fans deserve one thing: A team that’s going to compete the hardest in the NBA.” – 2:04 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Rob Pelinka and Darvin Ham are addressing the media pic.twitter.com/DJ6O3jpGjt2:01 PM

Kyle Goon @kylegoon
The Lakers media day barrage is about to begin here in El Segundo. Rob Pelinka and Darvin Ham are first up on the schedule. – 1:58 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Patrick Beverley told ESPN that Russell Westbrook has been his “best friend” on the team since being traded to the Lakers this summer. Says they both come in to train before 7 a.m. and spend time in the gym together – 1:56 PM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook are officially running it back. pic.twitter.com/fnSYzAXK481:45 PM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Who would’ve thought LeBron, AD and Westbrook would be here together for another media day? pic.twitter.com/zoyDncRcfP1:41 PM

Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
Russell Westbrook at Lakers Media Day. pic.twitter.com/yNzctzmgX51:39 PM

Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Peyton Watson on Russell Westbrook
He’s one of the most intense players that this league has ever seen.
Said the conversation continues to be around the work that needs to be put in. pic.twitter.com/66ShI65XzT1:36 PM

Michael Singer @msinger
Peyton Watson said he played against KD, Kyrie, PG, and his “big bro” Westbrook this summer. – 1:33 PM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Peyton Watson said that Russell Westbrook is his big bro and mentor. pic.twitter.com/cpayat7RWg1:33 PM

Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Monday’s @LockedOnLakers podcast! We discuss our questions for Lakers Media Day today, and a Westbrook interview where he discusses feeling wanted (or not), coming home, doing what it takes to win, and more. #FirstListen @LockedOnNetwork @LockedOnNBAPods
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rus…11:07 AM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Russell Westbrook on eve of Lakers training camp: ‘I’m all-in on whatever it takes for this team to win’
cbssports.com/nba/news/russe…9:49 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Westbrook says he’s ‘all-in on whatever it takes for this team to win’ nba.nbcsports.com/2022/09/26/wes…9:02 AM
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
There are no assurances that Russell Westbrook will be a starter for these Los Angeles Lakers, nor assurances that he’ll remain this season. Nevertheless, he promises this: “I’m all-in on whatever it takes for this team to win.” Story on ESPN+: tinyurl.com/yuwzp4mc7:51 PM

More on this storyline

Mike Trudell: Darvin Ham on Russell Westbrook: “He’s been awesome. Everything that I’ve asked of him he’s done (throughout the summer). Everything has been about being selfless, being team-oriented, defense.” Role has yet to be determined (starter vs. off bench). “We have several options.” -via Twitter @LakersReporter / September 26, 2022