The Los Angeles Clippers have revealed why they re-signed Russell Westbrook to a two-year, nearly $8 million contract this NBA offseason.
Clippers president Lawrence Frank was impressed with Westbrook’s urgency, intensity and professionalism last season.
“In the two months Russ spent with the team, he was everything we hoped he would be and more,” Frank said on July 7. “He made a huge impact on the court with his play and off it with the urgency, intensity, and professionalism he brings to the gym on a daily basis.”
Westbrook began the 2022-23 season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was traded to the Utah Jazz at the February trade deadline and waived by Utah. The UCLA product joined the Clippers as a free agent and put up strong 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 was interested in bringing him back and a deal was reached on the second day of free agency.
Now we’ll have to wait and see if Westbrook and James Harden will reunite for a third time. Harden has opted into his 2023-24 player option and requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers. The 10-time All-Star wants to get traded to the Clippers.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Harden and Westbrook were teammates on the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets. It would be wild to see them be teammates for a third time on the Clippers.
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