The marriage between Russell Westbrook and the Lakers seems doomed for a long time, without the franchise seeming able to get out of it. However, a miraculous remedy could well be found next summer!
After a dozen days of rest obtained thanks to the All-Star Break, he was logically expected at the turn. Disappointing ahead of this break in the NBA schedule, Russell Westbrook unfortunately does not show another face since. Worse, his recent disasterclass delivered against the Pelicans and the Mavericks deteriorate a little more his image with the Lakers Nation.
The latter has ceased to be conciliatory towards the Brodie, and no longer hesitates to scold her as soon as she has the opportunity. The match against Dallas was particularly the scene of a murderous punchline thrown at him. This tense situation therefore makes its future on the spot extremely fragile, even if its leaders should still have trouble parting with it during the next off-season!
Russell Westbrook new Lakers deadweight?
Determined to trade Westbrook before the trade deadline, the Lakers had already not found a base for their star leader. Given his recent performances, his courtiers should also be scarce next summer, all the more so given the astronomical salary provided for in his contract for next year. Jake Fischer from Bleacher Report therefore advances an interesting possibility to get rid of him!
The most realistic option for Los Angeles may ultimately be to stretch Westbrook’s $47 million player option for the 2022-23 season. The Lakers have already shown they are ready to do the same with Luol Deng’s contract, which will finally disappear from their accounts this year, even though it was done under Mitch Kupchak’s tenure as GM.
In other words, instead of having to pay in one go the $47 million promised to Russ for next season, the Angelinos could cut it, and spread that amount over several seasons. A technique they had already used to sell off Luol Deng in 2018. This could also give them a nice margin to sign reinforcements!
Stretcher Westbrook, according to a rival team strategist, would drop the Lakers’ payroll to about $2.5 million above the salary cap, allowing them to sign a rotation player via the non-taxpayer mid -level exception, as well as another player thanks to the bi-annual exception.
“They could at least put something together by doing this,” said another financial expert. Truth be told, it might be their best move, and it would allow them to add pieces around LeBron. ยป
Despite the impact this decision may have in the long term, stretching the last year of Russell Westbrook’s contract could make his departure from the Lakers possible next summer. This could also be the only solution for the franchise to end this collaboration!
