Final Nail in the Coffin on Russell Westbrook’s Future Provides Huge Update for LeBron James and Lakers

Russell Westbrook, 33, was traded by the Washington Wizards to the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 2021, and the Lakers were expecting a great 2021-22 season with the hopes of making it to the Finals, but everything went sideways real quick. Even with Westbrook, Lebron James, and Anthony Davis the Lakers were not able to make it into the playoffs.

After such a disappointing season, nobody expected Russell Westbrook to return for the 2022-23 season with the Lakers, until today. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Westbrook will reportedly remain under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers after picking up his $47.1 million player option. 

Russell Westbrook averaged 18.5 points last season, his lowest since his second NBA season with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009-10. This season in January, he shot 41.6% as coaches began to tighten his minutes and bench him late in close games. In February, his shooting dropped to 36.3%.

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He was expected to share the load with new superstar teammates LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But for one, Westbrook didn’t share the court with them as much, playing 78 games this season as James and Davis played 56 and 40 games respectively due to injuries.

Russell Westbrook’s future

Westbrook attended new Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham’s introductory press conference earlier this month, and Ham repaid the respect publicly. He said, “Russell is one of the best players our league has ever seen. He still has a ton left in that tank,” said Ham, even as he asked Westbrook to “sacrifice” his game.

“I don’t know why people tend to write him off,” Ham added. He also hinted that Westbrook might start off the bench this upcoming season. This can potentially create tension between them as former coach Frank Vogel experienced the same thing. 

Westbrook arguably remains one of the best explosive point guards of all time. He is the 2016-17 season’s MVP, a nine-time All-Star, and also a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. So after a disappointing season, he has the capability to turn things around, but Los Angeles could also still move him either in a trade or a buyout—going into 2022-23 with a fresh start after a poor season. 

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Will Westbrook have a successful season with the Lakers? Let us know in the comments below.