NEW YORK, NY (SNN-TV) – The NBA’s current news cycle is currently dominated by three episodes of head-scratching financial decisions.
Kyrie Irving is opting in to his $36.5 million option with the Brooklyn Nets for next season, Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook exercising his $47.1 million option, and John Wall agreeing to a buyout with the Houston Rockets to reportedly then sign a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Irving averaged 27 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds last season but played in only 29 regular-season games, by deciding not to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Irving was ineligible to play in New York City much of the season.
Westbrook, who averaged 18.5 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists a year ago, played in only 21 games with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, largely because of injuries.
And lastly, the Rockets and Wall reached a mutual decision for the veteran guard not to play last season with Houston in the early stages of a rebuild, leaving Wall having last played in the 2020-2021 season.
NBA Free Agency officially begins this Thursday at 6pm