NBA Rumors: Westbrook Won’t Settle For Buyout, More Offseason Woes For Lakers Ahead

With the season gone for the Los Angeles Lakers, the fate of Russell Westbrook is in the air.

Most know that the 2017 NBA MVP is most likely to be leaving Hollywood but how it will go remains unknown.

However, one thing appears to be certain – Westbrook will not settle for a buyout with Los Angeles according to a report by Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.

The 33-year-old NBA cager is aware of the repercussions if he agrees to a buyout. It is like admitting that he is not worth the $47 million player option among others.

The good news for the Lakers is that there is at least one team interested in taking in the nine-time All-Star. That NBA team is reportedly the Charlotte Hornets per Marc Stein.

What the Hornets could offer in exchange is unknown. Multiple players and picks could be offered. However, it remains that getting a deal done with Charlotte won’t be easy.

Hence, the Lakers need to stretch their options to figure out how to handle the Russell Westbrook situation. Among their options is to use the stretch provision and then waive Westbrook in the summer if no trade partner surfaces.

Going this route means the Lakers would have to pay Westbrook $15.7 million over the next three seasons, Marc Stein reported. With those savings, it would help the purple and gold retain one of the bright spot players they had this season in Malik Monk.

But even if that should happen, it only addresses part of one problem the Lakers are facing. A rebuild is happening but Los Angeles remains financially limited.

Most of their funds are invested in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, meaning the Lakers may have placed themselves in a tighter spot compared to last summer.