Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook is planning to exercise his $47.1 million option for the 2022-2023 season to return to the franchise, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
Westbrook, an eight-time All-Star and 2017 NBA Most Valuable Player, enters the final season of his original five-year, $206 million contract.
The Lakers are counting on Westbrook to have a comeback season under new coach Darvin Ham, whom Westbrook has told ESPN that he's been enthusiastic about getting to know in recent weeks.
After 11 seasons in Oklahoma City, Westbrook completed his fourth season for a fourth team a year ago -- including stops with Houston and Washington.