The Los Angeles Clippers hope to re-sign point guard Russell Westbrook at a hometown discount ($3.8 million) for a year, according to NBA insider Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.
Westbrook becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
“Sources say the team hopes to bring back Russell Westbrook at a hometown discount ($3.8 million) for a year, to be paid next summer with Early Bird Rights (like Nicolas Batum and, formerly with the team, Reggie Jackson),” Pincus wrote.
Westbrook began the 2022-23 season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was traded to the Utah Jazz at the trade deadline and waived by Utah. The UCLA product joined the Clippers as a free agent and put up some good numbers, averaging 15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists in 21 games.
The Clippers faced the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2023 playoffs. Kawhi Leonard only played in Games 1 and 2 and Paul George missed the entire series, so Westbrook’s usage rate went up. The NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles averaged 23.6 points, 7.6 boards and 7.4 assists in the Suns series, but it wasn’t enough to help the Clippers win, as Phoenix won the series in five games.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Westbrook and George are close friends and Russ is from Los Angeles. Since the nine-time All-Star played well with the Clippers, the front office could be interested in bringing him back. However, the numbers have to work.
The Clippers can offer Westbrook 120 percent of his minimum because they will have non-Bird rights on him. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report urged the Clippers to bring Westbrook back since the former MVP played well for LAC.
“Over the last few months of the regular and postseason, few players did as much to change perceptions as Russell Westbrook,” Bailey wrote. “He looked willing to accept a lesser role alongside Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. And when Leonard went down after Game 2 in the first round, leaving the Los Angeles Clippers without both of their stars, Westbrook kept the team far more competitive than it had any business being.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
“Now, if the veteran point guard (who’ll be 35 in November) is willing to re-sign on a modest deal, L.A. should absolutely be interested.”
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
