For most of the 2022–23 season, Russell Westbrook struggled to uncover his in shape on an imbalanced Lakers roster. Following a midseason trade to the crosstown Clippers, he rediscovered his form and thrived as the team’s most important starting up issue guard, so a great deal so that the crew built re-signing the Los Angeles native a precedence this offseason.
So it should not appear as also significant of a surprise that the former MVP opted to return to the Clippers. But the agreement specifics Westbrook and the staff agreed to undoubtedly elevated some eyebrows—and broke a dubious record in the approach.
Westbrook returned to the Clippers on a two-year, $8 million deal, which includes a player choice for the second year. That signifies the 34-calendar year-outdated will make just $4 million next period right after producing a whopping $47 million past year, per HoopsHype, which qualifies as the largest fork out lower in the league’s record.
Of course, Westbrook has manufactured above $300 million in occupation earnings, and it absolutely tends to make perception for the veteran player to prioritize roster healthy and championship rivalry at this phase in his job. He fills a have to have for the Clippers as a starting up-caliber point guard, and his sturdiness is specially worthwhile for a crew whose very best players—Kawhi Leonard and Paul George—have skipped sizeable time with injuries in new years.
In 21 common-period starts off for the Clippers previous 12 months, Westbrook averaged 15.8 details and 7.6 helps even though capturing 48.9% from the area and 35.6% on a few-pointers. He begun all five of the team’s playoff video games, averaging 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists.
