Russell Westbrook doesn’t expect instant perfection from the Clippers after they traded for James Harden on Tuesday.
The veteran point guard appeared annoyed Wednesday when he was peppered with questions from reporters about how Los Angeles will make things work following an overtime 130-125 loss to the Lakers.
“It’s going to be a process,” Westbrook said when asked “how well” he believes the retooled roster will gel together.
When one reporter asked, “What do you think it’s going to take from the entire group, including yourself, to get through the process?” Westbrook chucked.
“Give it a break, y’all,” the former MVP said. “It’ll be a process.
“I don’t have the answer. I don’t know… I don’t predict the future. I don’t know what’s going to happen.
“… But it’s gonna be a process. There’s gonna be ups and downs, good games, bad games. It’s not just gonna come together, mesh and we’re gonna be perfectly fine.
“That’s unrealistic expectations for everybody. The expectation, like I said, is that it’s going to be a process. I don’t have the answer. I don’t know what that is.”
Clippers All-Star forward Paul George was also asked about his new teammates, including PJ Tucker, who was part of Tuesday’s blockbuster trade between the Clippers and Sixers.
“Great additions,” George said. “Obviously James is a superstar, proven that year after year. Another playmaker. Another scorer, leader — really happy to have him here.
“PJ is tough. Another guy I feel we need especially [with] losing RoCo [Robert Covington], Nico [Nic Batum], [and] Marcus [Morris].
“We’re gonna need the toughness at the four-spot… I look forward to playing with the both of them.”
Harden’s trade wish was finally granted this week when the Sixers sent him to Los Angeles, along with Tucker and Filip Petrusev.
The Sixers received Nic Batum, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, K.J. Martin, a 2028 unprotected first-round draft pick, two second-round selections and a pick swap in return.
Clippers coach Ty Lue and All-Star Kawhi Leonard declined to comment on the trade until it was official following a 118-102 win over Orlando on Tuesday.
However, Westbrook did say he is “definitely happy.”
Westbrook and Harden have a history as they played together in Houston and Oklahoma City.
The pair, as well as George and Leonard, are all from Los Angeles.
Harden is reportedly “ecstatic” to join the Clippers, which was his desired trade destination, after his fall out with Daryl Morey, the Sixers’ president of basketball operations.
The All-Star point guard watched the action from the bench on Wednesday while Tucker suited up for the Clippers.
He tallied five rebounds in 21 minutes of play.
George and Leonard combined for 73 points while Westbrook and Norman Powell added 24 and 12, respectively.
It remains to be seen how Lue will utilize Harden.
The Clippers visit the Knicks on Nov. 6.
