US sports compact: Westbrook pulls option with the Lakers – $ 47 million salary

According to media reports, basketball player Russell Westbrook has taken the option for another year of contract and will earn more than 47 million US dollars in the coming season. This was reported, among other things, by the AP news agency on Tuesday. Some experts had questioned the future of the 33-year-old for his performances last season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Theoretically, Westbrook could still be traded to another team. Due to the high salary, however, this is considered unlikely.

The point guard is moving into the final year of the five-year contract he signed while still a player with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the NBA, teams have to take over the negotiated contracts and salaries in the so-called trades. Westbrook has played for the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards and last season for the Lakers since signing. The hoped-for superstar trio with LeBron James and Anthony Davis was rarely on the pitch together due to numerous injuries. The Lakers missed the playoffs in the North American professional basketball league.

According to consistent media reports, the Utah Jazz have found a new head coach for the upcoming NBA season. As ESPN and “The Athletic” reported on Tuesday, among others, Will Hardy is to succeed Quin Snyder and get a five-year contract. At 34, he would be the youngest head coach in the NBA.

Hardy was previously an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics and was with the team in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. Before the one year in Boston, he was active in various positions for the San Antonio Spurs for eleven years. The job with the Jazz would be his first as a head coach in the top basketball league in the world. Snyder resigned earlier this month after eight years.