Paul Fu: The Westbrook deal has nothing to do with James, he doesn t even know when something happens

On May 25, James' agent Ritchie Paul clarified and refuted rumors that James was responsible for the Lakers' decision to trade Westbrook a few years ago.

The Lakers had a brief possession of Westbrook. When the team got the veteran from the Wizards trade in the 2020-21 season, he just ended the season with a triple-double average, but the Lakers did not get Westbrook in that form during his time at the time of his time. Frankly, Westbrook proved to be out of place with James and Anthony Davis. Eventually, he was traded to the Jazz without even finishing two full seasons in Los Angeles.

Ritchie Paul said, "I know it's not true. When someone comes over and asks you, 'Hey, how do you think of this guy?' You might say, 'Well, that's it.' or you don't even want to comment at all. And then they come and ask, ask, and then you end up saying, 'You know what? If that's what you want to do, then do it. It's not you making a decision. It's just that you agree with something because, 'Okay, cool. If you think it's the best thing to do, then do it. The team is not mine, and I'm not in management. ’”

"Obviously, he doesn't control the team because he doesn't even know when something happens. How could he control the team? He didn't make any decisions about Westbrook's deal, although some people tried to convince people that he did it. He didn't interfere with the deal, and I'm very sure about it."

Westbrook played 75 games for the Nuggets during the regular season this season, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.4 steals, and averaged 11.7 points in 13 games during the playoffs.