Westbrook exercises option to remain with L.A. Lakers

Russell Westbrook will exercise his player option and stay under contract for another season, guaranteeing a $47 million salary, sources told The Los Angeles Times.

After being acquired by the Lakers last offseason, Westbrook struggled, averaging 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists, all numbers below the standards he has set for himself.

The Lakers enter free agency with just the taxpayer mid-level (worth about $6 million) and minimum contracts to fill out their roster around LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Westbrook.

More pro basketball

Boston Celtics assistant Will Hardy accepted an offer to become the coach of the Utah Jazz. Hardy and the Jazz are in the process of finalizing contract language.

• The Los Angeles Clippers and center Ivica Zubac reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year, $33 million deal that has no options.

Pro football

Terry McLaurin and the Washington Commanders hammered out a new contract for the receiver. McLaurin agreed to terms on a threeyear contract worth up to $71 million with roughly $53 million guaranteed, including a $28 million signing bonus.

Baseball

First baseman Andrew Czech homered to right field in the seventh inning to break a 1-1 tie and lead the Washington Wild Things (26-14) past the visiting Florence Y’alls (1721), 2-1, in the Frontier League.

Soccer

Researchers diagnosed chronic traumatic encephalopathy in a MLS player for the first time. Former Sporting Kansas City defender Scott Vermillion had the brain disease. The Boston University CTE Center said Vermillion died of an accidental drug overdose in December 2020 at the age of 44.