Lakers' Darvin Ham: Goal Is to Get Russell Westbrook in 6th Man of the Year Race

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said it's time to put Russell Westbrook in the discussion among the early NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award contenders.

Westbrook's play has improved since his move to the bench three games ago, including a strong showing in Wednesday night's 120-117 overtime win over the New Orleans Pelicans. He tallied 13 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in 25 minutes.

"Trust me, Russ had a hell of a night, man," Ham told reporters. "In the last three games he's been phenomenal. One of my goals selfishly is to get him in the conversation for Sixth Man of the Year at some point, and why not start now? We were dragged in the mud earlier in the game and he came in and he gave us a huge, huge boost. So, his fingerprints were definitely all over this game, in a positive, productive manner."

Moving the nine-time All-Star into a reserve role was pretty much the last card the Lakers could play in an attempt to salvage the blockbuster trade to acquire him in August 2021.

Westbrook struggled throughout the 2021-22 season while trying to adapt to an ever-changing role because of injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and his play during the first few games this season with those fellow stars back healthy was underwhelming, including a loss to the rival Los Angeles Clippers where he shot 0-for-11 from the field.

His play off the bench hasn't been perfect—he's recorded 14 turnovers in the three appearances—but he's been a much more impactful presence in the new role.

The 2016-17 NBA MVP has recorded 49 points, 23 rebounds and 20 assists while shooting 46.2 percent from the field in 90 minutes since the switch.

Leading the second unit when James and/or Davis are on the bench allows him to play a more ball-dominant style, which is always when he's been at his best, and on nights where he's having an efficient offensive performance, he'll likely be on the floor in crunch time.

To the credit of Westbrook, who was the focus of trade rumors throughout the summer, he's taken the role change in stride even though he hadn't come off the bench since his rookie year with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008-09.

"Whatever is needed for me to help the team win, that's what I'll do," the 33-year-old UCLA product told reporters after Sunday's win over the Denver Nuggets.

Most importantly, the Lakers have won back-to-back games to start building some positive vibes after opening the campaign with five straight losses.

L.A. has a lot of work to do before potentially getting back in the contender conversation, both on the floor and in terms of roster moves to acquire some outside shooting, but getting some wins on the board was crucial to avoid the season slipping away early.

Westbrook and Co. will look to continue their resurgence Friday night when the Lakers host the Utah Jazz.