There were no credible scenarios in which Lakers guard Russell Westbrook decided to decline his $47.1 million player option for next season. Not in a world where maybe - maybe - he'd be in line to get someone's midlevel exception for about $10 mil. And that's a best-case scenario. So while Tuesday's news that Westbrook has exercised the option and is, save a trade, set to return isn't surprising, it's one more step towards actually taking the floor for L.A. this year. That's something few thought would happen at the end of last season.

So how is the relationship with Westbrook? Has the team been bluffing with all the nice stuff they've said about him this offseason? Is there a chance everyone can reset the relationship and get him to play ball with a new outlook and new role? Would Russ accept it? Would it really make a difference if he did? (How many guys change their games to start doing the little things in their 15th year?)

And how was the relationship impacted by the whole Kyrie Irving saga, which linked Brooklyn's guard to the Lakers?

To discuss all of this, along with Malik Monk's potential future with the Lakers and a preview of what the team might do in free agency when it kicks off this week, Jovan Buha of The Athletic joins the show. He brings all his insight about the state of Westbrook and the Lakers, his understanding of Monk's priorities (based on a great new feature on the guy) and more.

LISTEN UP!

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky with guest, Jovan Buha

SEGMENT 1: Russ is back. Back again. Russ is back, Russ is back, Russ is back, Russ is back, Russ is back...

SEGMENT 2: How close were the Lakers to getting Kyrie Irving? Was there fire to go with the smoke?

SEGMENT 3: Would Monk stay with the Lakers for less than he'd get on the open market? Would the Lakers try hard to keep him, over other options? How will they approach free agency when it kicks off Thursday afternoon?

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