Russell Westbrook was a valued late-season addition to the Clippers in 2022-23.
Veteran point guard Russell Westbrook is returning to the LA Clippers on a two-year, $8 million deal, according to multiple reports. The deal was made official on July 6.
Free agent Russell Westbrook has agreed on a two-year, nearly $8M deal to stay with the Clippers, agent Jeff Schwartz of @Excelbasketball tells ESPN. Deal includes player option. Clippers were eager to bring back 9-time All-Star after his late season run as starting point guard. pic.twitter.com/ycN4Mc6G1I
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2023
AP sources: Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell are returning to the Lakers and the Bucks are keeping Brook Lopez.https://t.co/sE2jIZ9sfD
— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) July 1, 2023
Westbrook was a bright spot for the Clippers after being bought out by the Utah Jazz after a midseason trade last year. He started the last 21 games for the Clippers and their five playoff games in the team’s first-round series loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Westbrook averaged 15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists on 48.9% shooting in 30.2 minutes per game for the Clippers and 15.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg and 7.5 apg overall for the season.
The dynamic point guard had struggled with the Lakers, shooting just 41.7% while falling out of the starting lineup before being traded to Utah. In LA, he reunited with Paul George, his former teammate in Oklahoma City. George had lobbied the front office to add a point guard.
Westbrook is the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles (198) and ranks ninth on the all-time assists list (9,162).
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
