Former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook will likely re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers once free agency starts on June 30, according to Howard Beck of GQ.
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 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.
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.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
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 future Hall of Famer 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.
“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.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
The Clippers hope to re-sign Westbrook at a hometown discount ($3.8 million) for a year, according to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.
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