After a couple of weeks of speculation following his trade from the Los Angeles Lakers, we know where Russell Westbrook will spend what’s left of the 2022 NBA season. He’s not going far. He’s heading back to Los Angeles… this time to play with the Clippers.
As reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Utah Jazz have finalized a buyout of Westbrook’s formerly massive contract worth $200 million. Now an official free agent, the 34-year-old guard — perhaps unsurprisingly — will return to L.A. to play with his old Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Paul George.
From an initial glance, it seems like a low-risk, high-reward move for the Clippers. It’s probably banking on a reconnection of friendship between Westbrook and George (with Kawhi Leonard in the mix this time around):
After finalizing a contract buyout with the Utah Jazz, nine-time All-Star guard Russell Westbrook plans to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, his agent Jeff Schwartz of @excelbasketball tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/OjZ0Mkuz5x
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 20, 2023
News of Westbrook’s Clipper addition follows George recently stating he’d love to see his friend with a title someday (outside of himself, of course):
Who would PG13 most like to see win an NBA Championship?
“Outside of myself, probably Russ.” pic.twitter.com/M8YTjEWq7C
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 18, 2023
How convenient!
As some have insinuated, what happened during Westbrook’s tenure wasn’t harmonious for many involved, but it probably wasn’t his fault. Getting the chance to play with an old friend like George in a potentially healthier situation might be exactly what Westbrook needs to rekindle the latest phase of his career.
It’ll likely take a lot of work on the part of Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, but fitting Westbrook in doesn’t seem like the worst idea.
NBA fans were excited about the possibilities of a Westbrook-George reunion
Last time Paul George played with Russell Westbrook he averaged career highs in
PPG
RPG
SPG
3PM
FTMSteals leader, 1st team All-NBA and All-Defense that season. pic.twitter.com/f3kpy7deY4
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 20, 2023
What does Russell Westbrook do when Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have the ball?
With Harden in Houston, the answer was “nothing.”
With LeBron in LA, the answer was “nothing.”
If the answer is “nothing” again with the Clippers, they’ve needlessly made themselves a worse team.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) February 20, 2023
I really don’t get how you distribute 96 guard minutes to Paul George, Terance Mann, Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon, Norman Powell, and Bones Hyland.
— ZubacSZN (@213clipset) February 20, 2023
Both Paul George and Marcus Morris campaigned for Russell Westbrook to join the team to help fill their void at point guard. Hope this LA team works out better for him than the last one. https://t.co/bbgjue5tI4
— Melissa Rohlin (@melissarohlin) February 20, 2023
Russell Westbrook’s stats during the 2 seasons he played with Paul George:
24.1 PPG
10.5 RPG
10.5 APG
2.2 STOCKS
44/30/71
52 TS% pic.twitter.com/FtNERYFq3e— ☃️ (@ChrisKnowsBall2) February 20, 2023
Russell Westbrook and Paul George played 11 playoff games together in OKC. They went 3-8.
Paul George took 221 shots in 455 minutes those games.
Russell Westbrook took 272 (!) in 432 minutes.
That is 51 more shots for Russ in 23 less minutes. Good luck, Clippers.
— Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) February 20, 2023
There was one team where future Hall of Famer Russell Westbrook made sense. And he’s there. Watch out. https://t.co/9feDZUsVj6
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) February 20, 2023
Let’s go Russ! So happy for the man.
Reunite with PG whilst staying close to family and community he grew up with 💙 https://t.co/p4pgh9w4TO
— 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙩 (@Shai_Media) February 20, 2023
Interesting. Amazing convenience when you can change teams and stay in the same city and drive to the same arena. 🙂. Pulling for Russ. 👍 https://t.co/KyocIIG1P6
— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) February 20, 2023
