A Happy Birthday Wish From Los Angeles Lakers Superstar Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook of the Los Angeles Lakers wished Cassius Stanley a happy birthday on Instagram on Wednesday.
The photo from his Instagram story can be seen in a screen shot that is embedded below.
Stanley considers Westbrook a mentor, and a quote from what he told me before the NBA Draft about their relationship can be seen in a Tweet that is embedded below.
Duke’s Cassius Stanley told me last night about his mentor Russell Westbrook
— Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) November 18, 2020
“He’s a guy he’s an MVP he’s calling me on a random Tuesday he’s in the bubble just making sure everything’s good with my pre-draft.”
Stanley says he spent lots of time in the gym with Russ as well pic.twitter.com/aUFvY3R9Hx
Stanley spent his rookie season on the Indiana Pacers and is currently a free agent after the Pacers pulled their qualifying offer, according to J. Michael of the IndyStar.
The Tweet from Michael can be seen below, and his article can be read in the hyperlink above.
Pacers pull qualifying offer to Cassius Stanley to make room for another roster move https://t.co/OdOo4xbSPc
— IndyStarSports (@IndyStarSports) August 14, 2021
He does have an offer to go to Pacers training camp, according to Michael.
Meanwhile, Westbrook was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Lakers in a five-team trade that also included the Pacers, Brooklyn Nets and San Antonio Spurs.
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Ben Stinar is a former beat writer for AllPacers.com. He is a 2021 Hilltop30 Scholarship Fund recipient.