While a trade hasn’t been ruled out, the Los Angeles Lakers are currently planning on beginning next season with Russell Westbrook on their roster, multiple sources tell Jovan Buha of The Athletic. Westbrook exercised his $47.1 million player option this week.
The Lakers have been unable to find a team willing to take on Westbrook’s contract without attaching at least one future first round pick. The Lakers still prefer to trade Westbrook given his declining play and poor fit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The Lakers would be more amenable to a trade of Westbrook for the right return such as Kyrie Irving or another disgruntled star. The front office has been telling those around the team that Westbrook will be with the team at the start of training camp.
The Lakers are confident Darvin Ham will be able to get through to Westbrook in a way that Frank Vogel was unable to.
