Westbrook’s agent, Thad Foucher, plans to file the paperwork on Tuesday, sources said. Westbrook has a deadline on Wednesday for his election. Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star and NBA 2017 Most Valuable Player, is entering the final season of his original $ 206 million five-year contract.
The Lakers are counting on Westbrook for a return season under new coach Darwin Hamm. Westbrook told ESPN in recent weeks that he is excited to meet Ham. After 11 seasons at Oklahoma City, Westbrook completed his fourth season for a fourth team a year ago – including stops with Houston and Washington. Westbrook, who averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists a year ago, played just 21 games with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, mostly due to injury. The Lakers were 11-10 in those games and finished the season out of the playoffs with a record of 33-49.
