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Russell Westbrook potentially teases Lakers future on Instagram

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 22: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after getting called with an offensive foul against Phoenix Suns during the second half of the game at Staples Center on October 22, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 22: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after getting called with an offensive foul against Phoenix Suns during the second half of the game at Staples Center on October 22, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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It is clear that the Los Angeles Lakers want to part ways with Russell Westbrook this offseason and the feeling is likely mutual. The Westbrook experiment could not have gone worse than it did in 2021-22.

The Lakers did not make the playoffs and Westbrook refused to take any blame after the season. While not everything was necessarily his direct fault, the Westbrook trade is what ultimately lead to the Lakers having a disappointing season.

If the Lakers cannot move Westbrook at some point, whether it is in the offseason or at next season’s trade deadline, then there is no chance that the Lakers will be a title contender next season.

The positive news for Laker fans is that Westbrook does not seem to want to be in LA, either. Westbrook recently liked a comment on Instagram that outright asked him to do anything it took to get off the Lakers next season.

Westbrook very well could be trolling Laker fans as he knows that he is not that popular among the fanbase. However, Westbrook does have an ego about his play and ability, so he very well could think that the Lakers are the problem, not him.

Russell Westbrook still won’t opt out of his contract to help the Los Angeles Lakers.

Russell Westbrook could be absolutely miserable on the Los Angeles Lakers but that is not going to stop him from opting into his $47.1 million salary next season. While Westbrook has an ego and thinks he is still a star, he has to know that he won’t get even close to that if he went into free agency.

Instead, Westbrook will most likely opt into his deal and demand a trade from the Lakers this offseason. The problem is that Westbrook does not have any real trade value and it is far from a guarantee that the Lakers could move him.

If they can’t, the team would probably be better off telling him to stay home and hope that they can dump him to a tanking team at the deadline. Bill Simmons predicts this to be the future for Westbrook and the Lakers, and quite frankly, his prediction is the most accurate.

dark. Next. Westbrook and the 10 worst trades in franchise history

But hey, who knows, players have lost more money by betting on themselves and losing (looking at you, Dennis Schroder). If there is anything we have learned about the NBA it is that absolutely anything can happen.

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