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It is clear at this point that Russell Westbrook isn't enjoying his time in Hollywood. His summer move to the Los Angeles Lakers has backfired — at least from what we've seen thus far — and right now, there's no denying that all the criticism is taking its toll on Russ and his family.
Westbrook has a major decision to make in the offseason — one that will pretty much determine his future in the NBA as well as that of his family. The former league MVP has the option to pick up the final year of his current deal with the Lakers which will guarantee him a whopping $47.1 million next season.
At this point, it doesn't sound like it's going to be a very hard decision for Westbrook. After all, that's $47 million in his pocket. According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, the rumblings within and around the league also point to Russ picking up that player option:
When surveying many NBA sources, none predicted Westbrook would decline his $47.1 million option for next season. Instead, a buyout could be a possibility.
The fact of the matter is that Westbrook has been terrible this season with the Lakers. Nobody in their right mind would be willing to pay him anything close to $47 million next season. In this respect, picking up the final year of his deal to play for the Lakers next season should be a no-brainer decision for the 33-year-old.
What now complicates things is how Westbrook has been brutally chastised during his time in LA. Just recently, Russ and his wife Nina revealed the death wishes they have been receiving. Westbrook also admitted that he's now unwilling to bring his kids to games because of how fans continue to lambast him. This has undeniably gone too far and it is clear that at least in the basketball sense, Russ and his family are not enjoying life in Hollywood.
Could this serve as enough of a motivation for Westbrook to want to leave LA? After all, his family is now involved here and the last thing Westbrook wants is for his young kids to grow up with this type of hate hovering over their heads. Will Russ actually opt to turn his back on the Lakers? Probably not. Again, that's $47.1 million of guaranteed money. Sources from around the league just don't see this happening.
As the above report states, however, there is another route for Westbrook and the Lakers. LA could decide to buy out his deal, which will allow him to enter free agency. This will serve as a major financial blow for the Lakers, though, who will likely have to pay Russ around $14 million per season over the next three years. Are the Lakers that desperate to rid themselves of their Westbrook problem that they're willing to pay him $14 million per year even if he's playing for an opposing team?
You have to note that LA is just getting out of a similar financial arrangement with Luol Deng, who they waived back in 2018. The Lakers have been paying Deng $5 million per season over the past three years. If they decide to cut Westbrook, they will be forced to pay nearly triple that amount per season through 2025.
Right now, it just feels like Russ and the Lakers are just stuck with each other. For better or for worse.
