for most of the 2022–23 season, Russell Westbrook He struggled to find his fitness on the unbalanced Lakers roster. After a mid-season trade to Crosstown clippersHe rediscovered his form and thrived as the team’s primary starting point guard, so much so that the team made re-signing the Los Angeles native a priority this season.
So it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that the former MVP chose to return to the Clippers. But the details of the contract Westbrook and the team agreed certainly raised some eyebrows – and broke a dubious record in the process.
Westbrook returned to the Clippers on a two-year, $8 million deal, which includes a player option for the second year. That means the 34-year-old will make just $4 million next season after making $47 million last year, per HoopsHype, which qualifies asThe largest pay cut in league history.
Of course, Westbrook has racked up over $300 million in career earnings, and it certainly makes sense for a veteran player to prioritize roster fit and championship contention at this point in his career. He fills the Clippers’ need as a primary-caliber point guard, and his durability is especially valuable to a team that has lost its two best players — Kawhi Leonard and Paul George — to injuries in recent years.
In 21 regular season starts for the Clippers last year, Westbrook averaged 15.8 points and 7.6 assists while shooting 48.9% from the field and 35.6% on three-pointers. He started all five games for the team, averaging 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists.