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Los Angeles Lakers Guard Russell Westbrook is exercising his option to play for $47.1 million next season, a person with direct knowledge of the decision said Tuesday.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither Westbrook, a past NBA MVP and one of the top 75 players of all time in the league, nor did the Lakers reveal the decision publicly. ESPN first reported Westbrook’s decision.
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Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Russell Westbrook poses for a photo in his jersey at an NBA basketball launch press conference in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021.
(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
It certainly wasn’t a surprise, considering Westbrook wouldn’t have received anywhere near $47.1 million for next season had he chosen to become a free agent. He will turn 34 next season, his 15th in the NBA.
Westbrook had until Wednesday to make a decision on the option, which will make this the fifth and final season of a $207 million contract he signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The nine-time All-Star has traveled extensively since then: He was traded to Houston in 2019, Washington in 2020 and the Lakers in 2021.
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FILE – Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Russell Westbrook (0) controls the ball during an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in Los Angeles, Friday, April 1, 2022.
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
That created what was supposed to be a great trio: Westbrook together Lebron James and Anthony Davis.
It didn’t work anywhere near as planned. The Lakers were dogged by injuries all season, they missed the playoffs, they fired coach Frank Vogel after the season, and Westbrook has taken much of the blame for what happened.
He averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 78 games with the Lakers. Only four other players, twice reigning Nikola Jokic NBA MVP Denver, Philadelphia’s James Harden, Dallas’ Luka Doncic and San Antonio’s Dejounte Murray — finished the season with higher averages than Westbrook in those three statistical categories.
James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 12, 2022 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
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But his scoring average was the lowest since 2009-10, and his 3-point percentage (29.8%) ranked 251st among 278 NBA players who attempted at least 100 shots from beyond the arc this season.
