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- Russell Westbrook has elected to return to the Lakers.
- Westbrook picked up his player option to remain in L.A.
- He could have become a free agent on July 1.
After what was an embarrassing first season in Los Angeles, Russell Westbrook has decided to pick up his $47 million per year player option to remain a Laker for the 2022-23 season.
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
While Westbrook could’ve tested the free-agent market starting July 1, the decision to pick up his player option isn’t too surprising. It was highly unlikely Westbrook would have signed a more lucrative deal with a new franchise if he went the free-agent route.
Westbrook seems excited about the fact that he’s returning to the Lakers next season. He shared a video of himself singing in the car shortly before the news of him picking up his option was announced.
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) June 28, 2022
The news of Westbrook picking up his player option to stay in L.A. comes just one day after Kyrie Irving elected to do the same to remain a Brooklyn Net. Both Westbrook and Irving were rumored to want out of their current situations, perhaps even get swapped for one another, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Both the Nets and Lakers could look to trade the players down the line, but that doesn’t seem to be on the table as of right now.
NBA Fans React To Russell Westbrook Staying With The Lakers
Certainly easier to not have your soul broken when you’re about to get nearly $50 million hahaha https://t.co/vYUkOyKHep
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) June 28, 2022
My dawg said y'all just gonna have to be mad about them 47 Ms 😭😭😭 https://t.co/txd52vq31t
— 🐧✨America Is Musty✨🐧 (@DragonflyJonez) June 28, 2022
If I got $47M to not be that good at my job, I’d be singing too… https://t.co/Qod13mMlgz
— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) June 28, 2022
I don't understand basketball, so forgive me, but why WOULDN'T Russ guarantee himself $47 million? Who cares if he hates the Lakers or vice versa https://t.co/S5gETbRP7o
— Joe Fortunato (@JoeFortunatoBSB) June 28, 2022
Laker fans rn https://t.co/ps9VY1EAVE pic.twitter.com/8MlKH8wgy8
— Yoldan Piscina 🇵🇷 (@ricandubsfan25) June 28, 2022
Russ pulling up on the court this year https://t.co/Lt7vhffPOm https://t.co/moAdYASc6k
— Public Enemies Podcast (@TheEnemiesPE3) June 28, 2022
Russ following Kyrie's path and daring to be different 😤 https://t.co/Ka0BQvNYUU
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) June 28, 2022