The Los Angeles Lakers recently made a major decision by naming Darvin Ham as the team's new head coach. This is just one of a handful of decisions the front office s facing as they look towards what they hope will be a bounceback campaign in 2022-23.
Russell Westbrook still remains to be the biggest concern for the Lakers. At this point, however, despite the forgettable debut season he had with them last year, LA remains steadfast in their desire to keep the former league MVP in Hollywood. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Westbrook playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis again next season is now becoming increasingly realistic:
The Lakers are tuning out the skeptics yet again and insisting to anyone who will listen that they would rather keep Russell Westbrook on the roster for next season than surrender additional assets to convince someone to trade for him. The Lakers are also said to be adamant that they won’t release the former MVP and eat his $47.1 million player option for next season after Westbrook picks it up.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/61Ar04k91qqxag5lQwOEe3?si=ed5d91133a624f9b
It sounds like keeping Westbrook on board is not exactly LA's first choice. In a different scenario, the Lakers would probably jump at the opportunity to send him packing. However, given how they will either have to give up a significant set of assets in a potential trade, or pay a substantial amount of money to buy out his contract, LA has been left with no other choice but to ride it out with Russ.
Follow Us
Subscribe
