In an interview with Marc Spears of Andscape at the beginning of July (after the Lakers had completed the bulk of their free-agent signings), Darvin Ham said he saw Russell Westbrook as a starter for the 2022-23 Lakers.
Two months later, the Lakers brass doesn’t seem as committed to that line of thought.
First, there was the acquisition of Patrick Beverley, a lead guard who fits perfectly next to LeBron James on paper, thanks to his defense and ability to play off the ball. Then, Ham said that Westbrook and Beverley would have to earn starting roles at Beverley’s introductory press conference, though that seemed to refer to the two of them starting together, not that both players were still working to make the first five.