Russell Westbrook has had a disappointing year with the Los Angeles Lakers. He put up solid box score stats this season, averaging 18.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 7.1 APG. However, many have criticized his playstyle and fit with the team.
NBA insider Marc Stein has previously claimed that it’s “impossible” that Russell Westbrook will return to the Los Angeles Lakers next season. More recently, Marc Stein also revealed that the Los Angeles Lakers haven’t ruled out waiving and stretching Westbrook’s contract, which would allow them to move on from him without a trade.
The Lakers, league sources say, have not ruled out simply parting ways with Westbrook via the waive-and-stretch provision.
A straight release of Westbrook that essentially transforms his mammoth player option for next season into what lives on their books as a three-year deal in the $15 million range annually would move the Lakers out of luxury-tax territory and make it far easier for them to retain free agent-to-be Malik Monk, who at times has unexpectedly appeared to be the Lakers’ most dependable player not named LeBron James throughout a nightmarish 31-48 campaign.
Facilitating Monk’s return might be reason enough for the Lakers to go this route and is expected, league sources say, to be under consideration.
While it seems as though the Los Angeles Lakers want to move on from Russell Westbrook, the point guard previously revealed that he would love to run it back on the Lakers with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. It remains to be seen if Westbrook will get his wish.
Hopefully, the Los Angeles Lakers will find ways to improve in the offseason. The LeBron James-Anthony Davis duo is still good, and if the team manages to surround them with a better core, perhaps we’ll see the Lakers make some noise next season.
