Charlotte Hornets to sign this former Los Angeles Lakers MVP in free agency?

Russell Westbrook‘s future is the most difficult one the Lakers will have to decide on in 2022. He will likely opt in to his $41.4 million for this season; he would be foolish not to. The only problem is that he is not worth that much at this point in his career. While the Lakers may want to trade him (he has been linked to the Hornets throughout the year), that salary hit is going to be difficult to move.

Although Westbrook is coming off of one of the worst seasons of his career, he could still provide value for a Hornets team that is simply looking to make the playoffs in 2022-23. As a combo guard paired next to LaMelo Ball, Westbrook could be the spark the Hornets need to make a playoff run in 2023.

His somewhat-declining athleticism coupled with his inefficiency may not make him a perfect fit for Charlotte’s run-and-gun setup, but he is a Hall-of-Famer who should still have a little left in the tank.