The last few years have been tumultuous for Los Angeles Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook. This was the first NBA offseason since 2018 that he wasn’t traded or involved in a ton of rumors about being on the move.
2021 and 2022 were the first time that Westbrook started the season with the same team in consecutive years since he was on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards both traded him after one season and had the Lakers had their way, it would have been the same for them.
Los Angeles didn’t end up moving Westbrook until the deadline last season, as he ended up with the Utah Jazz. He didn’t end up playing with the Jazz, as they bought him out and he landed back in LA with the Clippers.
This past offseason, Westbrook hit free agency and his market was expected to be a solid one. The former MVP had proven that he was accepting and could thrive in a role off the bench with the Lakers and played well as the starting point guard with the Clippers.
In today’s NBA, role-specific complementary players and borderline All-Star caliber performers are being paid an astronomical amount of money. But, Westbrook didn’t hold out for the best deal that paid him the most money.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Instead, he signed a two-year, $8 million contract to remain with the Clippers. On the opening of training camp around the NBA, he revealed what led to him making that decision to take a massive pay cut.
“Money is not ever a driver for me in any aspect. Being at a place that’s welcoming with open arms, an organization that’s welcomed both me and my family with open arms… Can’t get too much better than that.”
Coming off of a five-year contract that paid him nearly $207 million, some people were certainly shocked to see him accept a deal that pays him $4 million annually. But, given how much money he has earned in his career, Westbrook has made his intentions clear.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
He wants to be able to contend for championships while playing for a franchise that embraces him and his style of play. The Clippers can provide him with all of that, making it the ideal landing spot for him even if he had to take a massive pay cut.
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