Russell Westbrook Coming off Lakers Bench Is Not a 'Demotion,' Darvin Ham Says

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Darvin Ham informed reporters before Friday's last preseason game against the Sacramento Kings that Russell Westbrook's benching is not a "demotion."

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Ham called it a "realignment" and said Westbrook might start.

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Westbrook's expected role on the bench for the Lakers' last preseason game is not entirely unexpected.

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According to ESPN, he might be the team's sixth man to start the season.

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Westbrook has started all but 17 games in his 14-year career, including 17 with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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The Lakers sought to trade the 33-year-old throughout the summer, but his $47 million contract for 2022-23

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