Vancouver Sun ePaper

WESTBROOK OPTS IN WITH LAKERS

Russell Westbrook will exercise his US$47.1-million player option and return to the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2022-23 season, ESPN and The Athletic reported Tuesday. The nine-time NBA all-star point guard and 2016-17 most valuable player is entering the final season of a five-year, $206-million contract. Westbrook, 33, was facing a Wednesday deadline to opt in with the Lakers and new head coach Darvin Ham. In his first season in L.A. in 2021-22, Westbrook, pictured, didn't mesh well with ex-coach Frank Vogel and became a target of fans as injuries pulled apart the veteran-laden roster. Westbrook posted his lowest scoring average since 2009-10 and the Lakers (33-49) missed the playoffs. The Lakers are counting on a bounceback year from Westbrook and better health from costars LeBron James and Anthony Davis next season.

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2022-06-29T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-06-29T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://vancouversun.pressreader.com/article/281930251670484

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