In today’s NBA media climate, where nearly every contract scoop or detail is anonymously swapped in exchange for other intel or favorable coverage, it is exceedingly rare for a player to ever come out, on the record, and admit what they are going to do in the future. It’s why it was so astounding and refreshing last week at exit interviews when Kendrick Nunn simply admitted that he would be picking up his player option to remain with the Lakers next year.
It’s also why it wasn’t that shocking when Russell Westbrook — despite facing arguably more of a “no-brainer” choice than Nunn — wasn’t willing to tell the media whether or not he’d pick up his own $47 million player option for the 2022-23 NBA season.