Free agent point guard Russell Westbrook has agreed to a deal to re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Brodie enjoyed a relatively successful spell with the franchise after being waived by the Utah Jazz in February earlier this year. The explosive guard averaged 16 points and 7 assists towards the end of the regular season and significantly improved in the playoffs, taking a step up and averaging a near triple-double with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. After such a promising showing, the Los Angeles Clippers and Russell Westbrook have come to a decision to run it back once again.
Reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Westbrook has agreed to a 2-year deal worth $7.8 million, ultimately taking a vast pay cut to re-sign with the Clippers. The 34-year-old has evidently enjoyed his stay in the other half of L.A. after a difficult spell with the Los Angeles Lakers. Playing alongside fellow California-born natives Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, the nine-time NBA All-Star has found a home with the Clippers, and this is sure to have been a main driving force for the guard's ultimate decision. Speaking on his podcast, Paul George described the signing of Russ as the biggest positive from the franchise's season. He said, "We found our point guard, who ended up being our best player once Kawhi went down in that series, and we got a glimpse of prime Russ again." He added, "It was a positive not only for us but for him, for Clipper Nation... He delivered."
The new deal sees Russell Westbrook's time as a max contract player come to an end. After his lackluster shooting and persistent turnovers per game with the Lakers, his value rapidly diminished. However, the new contract laid upon the star will allow him to play his game without pressure and the weight of expectations to prove his worth. Included in the deal will be a player option after the 2023-2024 NBA season. In the end-of-season press conference, Russell Westbrook spoke about his short time so far with the Clippers, saying, "I'm so grateful and blessed to end up in a situation where I'm just allowed to be myself and have been able to be brought in with open arms."
The 2017 NBA MVP will look to use the open arms and welcoming environment of the Clippers to reignite a fire within himself and push for an NBA championship, something which The Brodie has not been able to accomplish thus far throughout his illustrious career.