The Los Angeles Clippers could have Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook on the roster next season, according to NBA insider Law Murray of The Athletic.
The Clippers would not be shutting the door on Westbrook even if they could acquire Paul, who got traded by the Phoenix Suns to the Washington Wizards in the blockbuster Bradley Beal trade.
“The Clippers would not be shutting the door on Westbrook even if they could acquire Paul, league sources not authorized to speak publicly told The Athletic,” Murray wrote. “The biggest contract they can legally offer Westbrook (starting at 120 percent of the veteran’s minimum) would still be on the table. How Westbrook receives that is unclear.
“While Westbrook was seriously contemplating returning to the Clippers on that contract for slightly more than the veteran’s minimum, those sources said, that was before LA’s interest in Paul reached this degree. Trading for Paul while Westbrook is still available would be a way for the front office to get the player it wants in place while forcing Westbrook to potentially take the same deal, but for undoubtedly a different role.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Paul is not expected to stay with the Wizards and the Clippers are interested in making a deal with Washington to acquire CP3. Meanwhile, Westbrook becomes an unrestricted free agent in July.
The Clippers lost to the Suns in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games. Paul played six seasons for the Clippers from 2011-12 to 2016-17. It would be quite to story to see the Wake Forest product back in Los Angeles playing for the Clippers again. He averaged 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists this past season for the Suns.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
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.
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