The LA Lakers may have lost one of their free agent targets for 2017 with Russell Westbrook signing an extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
However, that would only derail their plans for one year. The terms of the contract were divulged by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
The extension includes this incoming season (which is why it's renegotiation) so instead of being paid $17 million for 2016-17 based on his old contract, Westbrook gets the max at $26.5 million. He will get $28.5 million in 2017-18 with a player option for $30.6 million for the third year, (2018-19).
"In the most likely scenario, Westbrook will become an unrestricted free agent in 2018 again," Wojnarowski said. It should also be noted that 2018 is also the year DeMarcus Cousins becomes a free agent.
The LA Lakers were hoping to make a free agency splash (again) in 2017 even as they failed to get big names in 2014 (Carmelo Anthony) and 2015 (LaMarcus Aldridge). They may have taken a reality check in 2016, not getting meetings for players like Hassan Whiteside and DeMar DeRozan, let alone Kevin Durant.
While signing Timofey Mozgov was a much-maligned move, it was endorsed by Coach Luke Walton who contended that the Russian center has a definite role on the team. It also confirms that the front office may have realized (and/or accepted) the state of the franchise now. It is no longer a hotbed for free agents.
Being in Hollywood is no longer enough of a draw. As the Kevin Durant decision to join the Warriors shows, winning is what matters.
So what should be the plan for the Lakers? ESPN ranked them last in the Western Conference in their summer forecast. While they predicted an eight-win improvement from 17 wins to 25, the rest of the West can do better.
It sounds frustrating for the fans, but the best thing for the Lakers is to develop their players, instill a culture for the young core and accept their fate, win or lose. They can still keep their draft pick if they finish in the top 3 again, and the 2017 draft could yield better players like Harry Giles, Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum or Markelle Fultz.
Keeping their top three pick in 2017 is the best case scenario. They will have to surrender it in 2018, but they will also avoid losing their 2019 draft pick to Orlando when that happens.
Let's face it, the Lakers cannot attract free agents in 2017 if they are at the bottom of the Western Conference. Another young stud and more experience under Luke Walton, they can attract the big fish in 2018, two players that would gladly play in LA if only they were a contender.