Does Russell Westbrook want out of Los Angeles?

In Los Angeles’ most-recent loss to the Portland Trail Blazers this past weekend, new head coach Darvin Ham opted to bench Westbrook late in the game. Ham explained said decision after the game.

“We don’t have time for people to be in their feelings,” Ham said of Russell Westbrook on Sunday.

The nine-time All-Star has been absolutely brutal during the early portion of the NBA schedule, struggling to do anything of substance. He's averaging just 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting a paltry 28.9% from the field and 8.3% from three-point range.

Looking at those numbers, Westbrook has been among the worst regular starters in the NBA through three games.

Recent reports suggested that Los Angeles wants to wait until after Thanksgiving to make a move involving Westbrook. In short, general manager Rob Pelinka wants to see what this current iteration of the Lakers can do in 20-25 games.

That makes absolutely no sense. We’re talking about a team that’s 0-3 on the season and has lost 32 of its past 44 games dating back to last season.

Los Angeles has had conversations with the Utah Jazz about a deal that would send the likes of Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson to Southern California for a package surrounding Westbrook and multiple draft picks.

Westbrook’s expiring contract could be seen as a net-positive for a rebuilding team looking to unload long-term deals. But there’s just not too much happening on that front.

The question now becomes whether Los Angeles simply opts to buy Westbrook out and move on from this failed experiment. If he wants out, said buyout might not cost too much.

If not, the Lakers might relegate Westbrook to bench duties with Austin Reaves getting the start in his stead.

“Darvin Ham had prepared Russell Westbrook through the summer and at the end of the preseason of the possibility that he could be coming off the bench this season. Ham is really looking at this in five, six game increments.”

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski report on Russell Westbrook plans

For his part, Westbrook doesn’t seem too keen on the idea of coming off the bench.

“I’ve been doing the same thing for 14 years straight. Honestly, I didn’t even know what to do pregame. Being honest, I was trying to figure out how to stay warm and loose. That’s something I just wasn’t accustomed to,” Russell Westbrook on potential bench role.

He simply might not have a choice if he wants to remain a member of the Lakers. But for now, it doesn’t seem like he actually wants to remain in Southern California.