Russell Westbrook has been discussed as a part of multiple trade scenarios by the Los Angeles Lakers in recent times. His future has been uncertain for a while. Recently he was spoken about as a potential piece as the Lakers were reportedly trying to figure out a way to land Kyrie Irving, but Irving ended up picking up his player option.
Now Westbrook has followed suit and will be picking up his own player option for the 2022-23 season, one that will pay him $47.1 million. The report came from Adrian Wojnarowski, who revealed that Westbrook was planning on it on Tuesday morning.
ESPN story on Russell Westbrook planning to exercise his $47.1M option to return to the Lakers: https://t.co/sGBaq7cWIZ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2022
“Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook is planning to exercise his $47.1 million option for the 2022-23 season to return to the franchise, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Westbrook’s agent Thad Foucher is planning to file the paperwork Tuesday, sources said. Westbrook has a Wednesday deadline on his option.”
“Westbrook, an eight-time All-Star and 2017 NBA Most Valuable Player, enters the final season of his original five-year, $206 million contract.”
The report goes on to state that the Lakers are expecting Westbrook to return and play under new Head Coach Darvin Ham, and the hope will be that Russ is able to bounce back from what was a very rough season last year.
This is good news for Russ, seemingly having secured himself for next season. If he can put up better numbers and really impact winning for the Lakers next season, Russ will immediately make himself a valuable player in the NBA once again.
Westbrook has all the tools necessary to be an incredible player in the league and having Anthony Davis fit next season could make a huge difference. If the Lakers do end up keeping him though, they will have to make some changes to the roster around Russ as they aim to get back into the playoffs and really challenge for the title.
