Where does Russell Westbrook's contract rank amongst his LA Lakers teammates?

Russell Westbrook has been relegated to a role off the bench in his second year with the LA Lakers. The 2016-2017 NBA MVP has averaged 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game. However, he has shot just 40.0% from the field, 27.1% from three-point range and 67.8% from the free-throw line.

Despite coming off the bench, Westbrook is the highest-paid player on the Lakers. He will make $47.1 million this season, more than any player in the league aside from Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry.

Lakers star LeBron James is the third-highest-paid player in the league, as he will make $44.5 million this season. Co-star Anthony Davis comes in as the 13th-highest-paid player in the NBA. Davis will earn just about $38 million in 2022-2023.

Patrick Beverley is the next highest-paid player, as he will bring in $13 million, while Lonnie Walker IV, who will make $6.5 million, rounds out the top-five highest-paid players on the roster. Kendrick Nunn and Damian Jones are the only other Lakers making more than the league minimum, as they will make $5.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively.

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Trade options the Lakers have for Russell Westbrook's contract

While Russell Westbrook is the second-highest-paid player in the league, he is in the final season of his contract. While the LA Lakers, who are in win-now mode with LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the roster, have played much better basketball over the past month, the belief is that they would like to upgrade the roster.

To do so, it is likely that the Lakers will have to move Westbrook. The move that has been most discussed is acquiring Myles Turner and Buddy Hield from the Indiana Pacers. While the two players aren't quite the stars, the Lakers are holding out for them, and both fit seamlessly next to the Lakers stars, James and Davis.

Another option the Lakers have is to wait until January 15, when stars such as Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal and Zach LaVine become eligible to be traded. While it is unlikely that Westbrook could bring back a star, the Lakers’ 2027 and 2029 first-round picks could be enticing. The Lakers reportedly also have interest in LaVine's teammate with the Chicago Bulls, DeMar DeRozan.

The final option is to simply let Russell Westbrook's contract expire and pursue a star with the available cap space in the offseason. The Lakers are holding out hope that they can acquire a star with their first-round picks. However, if they are unable to do so, they may choose to hold on to the picks and allow the future Hall of Famer to play out his contract.

“The organization will be prudent with their two first round picks available that they have for the remainder of the decade…”

@ShamsCharania on what possible options the #Lakers have on #RunItBack with @MichelleDBeadle @ChandlerParsons @bansky

📺: FanDuel.com/TV https://t.co/RR6WHNsIXv