Many stars are opting into their player options ahead of the 2022 NBA Free Agency. The latest to do so is Russell Westbrook. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the guard plans on exercising his $47.1 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Woj tweeted the news Tuesday morning.
ESPN Sources: Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook is planning to exercise his $47.1 million option to return to the franchise for the 2022-2023 season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2022
Woj added that Thad Foucher will complete the paperwork by the end of the day on Tuesday. Westbrook has until Wednesday to finalize his decision.
Westbrook’s agent Thad Foucher of @wassbasketball is planning to file the paperwork today, sources said. Westbrook has a Wednesday deadline on his option.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2022
This is huge news for the Lakers, who recently lost the opportunity to pick up Kyrie Irving in free agency. Irving exercised his $37 million player option with the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.
Most of the Lakers' core is expected to stay on board for the 2022-2023 season. However, it will be accompanied by new leadership in head coach Darvin Ham. Hopefully, he's the change that will turn this star-studded team around after it went 33-49 last season.
Westbrook was a large reason for the team's underperformance last year. After being traded by the Washington Wizards, Westbrook started in all 78 games he played for the Lakers.
He averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists, along with 3.78 turnovers. This production did not match the expectations of the Lakers, who watched him average a triple-double in Washington just a year before.
Especially since both players opted into their contracts, the potential of Irving replacing Westbrook in Los Angeles is becoming less and less probable. However, Brian Windhorst believes a trade is still on the table.
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