The Los Angeles Lakers did not perform up to expectations whatsoever this past season, missing out on the playoffs with a disappointing 33-49 record.
There were a number of issues for the team, but a glaring one was how terrible of a fit it appeared to be for star point guard Russell Westbrook alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis last year.
His lack of shooting and necessity to need the ball alongside James, who is also a ball-dominant player, was clear to everyone. It is a question mark as to where the organization goes from here this offseason.
Westbrook (seen above during a game in April) has made his decision on his upcoming player option in his contract, and it is one that many Lakers’ fans aren’t going to love to hear.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Westbrook is planning to exercise his player option. That will net him $47.1 million next season to return to Los Angeles.
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
The Lakers have already said that they don’t plan to trade Westbrook, as they are not willing to give up additional assets that would likely be necessary to move him.
That likely means that the Lakers will be running it back with a similar team next season, which is something many of their fans are not pleased about.
LeBron watching Russell Westbrook brick threes and turn the ball over next year pic.twitter.com/0qiQ265KjE
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) June 28, 2022
Russell Westbrook plans to exercise his $47.1 million player option to return to the Lakers… pic.twitter.com/Xtk2SdDYol
— The Game Day NBA (@TheGameDayNBA) June 28, 2022
Russell Westbrook, a washed basketball star, makes more than the entire Baltimore Orioles roster. https://t.co/UVFX4IYRVV
— Dieter Kurtenbach (@dieter) June 28, 2022
So bold. So different. https://t.co/rDOfZxY0eU
— Mike Ryan (Ruiz) 🙌🏽 (@MichaelRyanRuiz) June 28, 2022
I love Kyrie and Westbrook's dedication to absolutely torturing their local fanbases https://t.co/dd4aFRHqHS
— Chris Berube (@ChrisBerube) June 28, 2022
Unless the Lakers’ front office changes their minds and decides that they do want to trade Westbrook, new head coach Darvin Ham will certainly have his hands full in making the roster fit.
Given the aging roster that the Lakers currently possess, it certainly looks like things are only going to get worse before they get better unless they make a big move for an impact player this offseason.
[Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter; photo from Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports]
