Is Russell Westbrook Sending a Signal With Drastic Instagram Changes?

According to those who keep an eye on such things, Russell Westbrook has made some drastic changes to his Instagram account, deleting all pictures of him with the Los Angeles Lakers (aside from his cartoon avatar). 

And not only that, all of his pics with the Washington Wizards and the Houston Rockets are gone as well. Only one team's uniform has the honor of being donned by Westbrook in any of his IG photos: That of the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Russ has deleted all his photos with the Lakers. 😟 pic.twitter.com/4PBkFEvK3T

— 𝘮𝘢𝘤 (@stan4russ) April 26, 2022

Westbrook has until June 29 to opt-in to his $47M player option for next season, which he undoubtedly will do, but perhaps with "an eventual well-compensated exit in mind," as noted by Lakers fan community website Silver Screen and Roll.  

The 33-year-old had a disastrous year in his first season with the Lakers, who missed the playoffs. Westbrook's scoring, rebounding and assists were all down by four per game, each, from his previous season.  

The Thunder were the team that drafted Westbrook, and for whom he played his first 11 seasons in the NBA. The only team, and city, that's really showed him the love and the respect that he desires.  Since then, he's bounced from Houston to Washington to LA, year after year. Could a return to OKC be in the offing? 

The Thunder have up-and-coming young guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, so it's difficult to see a fit there, while still being able to develop the young stars. 

Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports