Russell Westbrook opts in: Best memes and tweets from sad Lakers fans

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook has opted in to the final year of his contract. Dreams of Kyrie Irving have gone by the wayside.

Just Monday, Lake Show fans considered Irving a possible option out West. While a re-pairing with former teammate LeBron James was always unlikely, Irving reportedly had interest in joining the Lakers if things didn’t work out in Brooklyn.

Yet, Kyrie will reportedly opt in to the final year of his Nets deal. That was the first blow to the LA fanbase. The second shoe just dropped, as Russell Westbrook will also opt in to the final season of his Lakers deal.

He’ll make $47.1 million next year. Yikes.

Lakers fans not happy with latest Russell Westbrook news

Westbrook himself seems pretty thrilled about the news. I mean, who wouldn’t be happy about $47 million?

As for the fanbase, the same cannot be said. LA was holding out hope that a solution could force Westbrook and much of his money elsewhere. It was always an unrealistic proposition.

Technically, LA could still trade Westbrook elsewhere (even for Irving if necessary), but the more likely scenario is that their current Big-3 stays together one more year.

https://twitter.com/BetMGM/status/1541801749949849600

https://twitter.com/BetMGM/status/1541801865008005126

https://twitter.com/NBAMemes/status/1539740086199537665

With Westbrook, Los Angeles doesn’t have the necessary spacing to compete in the modern NBA. Anthony Davis cannot stay healthy — let alone carry and NBA team — and the Lakers ask LeBron to do too much at this stage of his career.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

The current iteration of the Lakers is not a contender. And there’s little they can do about it.