Russell Westbrook Surprises NBA: Makes History with Biggest Pay Cut to Stay with Clippers

Russell Westbrook Surprises NBA: Russell Westbrook joined the Los Angeles Clippers late in the 2017–18 season, where he has flourished ever since. After losing his starting position and being the subject of persistent trade rumours with the Los Angeles Lakers at the start of the season, Westbrook was transferred to the Utah Jazz before the trade deadline and then released shortly thereafter.

The veteran point guard joined the Clippers, where he returned to the starting lineup immediately and went on to be a revelation in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Westbrook may no longer be among the league’s top players, but he demonstrated his effectiveness in high-stakes situations by averaging 23.6 points per game against the Phoenix Suns in the first round.

After the playoffs, Westbrook became a free agent, as the five-year, $205 million contract he signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017 had expired.

Russell Westbrook Surprises NBA: Makes History with Biggest Pay Cut to Stay with Clippers

Westbrook re-signed with the Clippers despite taking the largest salary cut in NBA history because he relished his time there so much. Saturday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Westbrook and the Clippers agreed to a two-year, $7.9 million contract.

With a different club, would Westbrook have obtained a higher salary? Certainly, that is not inconceivable. It simply felt more natural to play with the Clippers than anywhere else. Westbrook is a native of Los Angeles and a graduate of the Bruins.

When Paul George and Kawhi Leonard were injured, he provided the Clippers with another high-usage playmaker and injected much-needed pace and rim pressure into a somewhat stagnant offence.

Is there a possibility that James Harden, Westbrook’s former Thunder teammate, will sign with the Clippers prior to the upcoming season? Harden reportedly requested a transfer from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Los Angeles Lakers after exercising a $36.5 million player option. Westbrook and Harden both played for the Thunder and the Rockets alongside one another.

Regardless of his status as a starter for the Clippers next season, Westbrook will be a crucial element for the team. Perhaps, at this price, Westbrook’s strengths will once again be highlighted and his weaknesses will receive less attention from admirers.