Russell Westbrook Reveals True Feelings After Lakers Trade

Russell Westbrook got his joy back after joining the LA Clippers

Speaking exclusively with ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, LA Clippers guard Russell Westbrook was asked about his trade from the Los Angeles Lakers at last year's deadline.

"I was so ready to play [for a new team] based on the situation I was in and how it ended," Westbrook said.

On the emotions after the deal went down, which sent him to the Utah Jazz before a buyout was reached, Westbrook told Youngmisuk, "A lot of different emotions. But happy for sure. There just was so much going on at that time."

Now on one of the best teams in the NBA with the Clippers, Westbrook has been the vocal leader this team needed throughout the Kawhi Leonard and Paul George era. It's a role he embraces, and one that adds value to his already high-level production on the court.

On joining the Clippers, Westbrook told ESPN, "I felt like the joy [was] back [of] having fun playing again."

With a real chance to win his first NBA championship, Westbrook is filling an important role for this Clippers team both on and off the court. Much happier now than he was with the Lakers, Westbrook has his joy back, and the Clippers are better for it.

There is a long way to go for this Clippers group, but they look like a team who has what it takes to win it all.

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