The Los Angeles Clippers’ season ended early, thanks in large part to an injury to its best players. Until then, there were a few positive takeaways, including the late-season addition of Russell Westbrook. Westbrook was signed by the Clippers after he was traded by the Los Angeles Lakers to the Utah Jazz and later waived.
While he wasn’t expected to make much of an impact after the up and down two-thirds of the season with the Lakers, he proved to be a great pickup. In 21 regular season games with the Clippers, Westbrook averaged 15.8 points on 48.9% shooting, 7.6 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game.
He fared better in the playoffs, posting 23.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game. After his success with the Clippers, most fans are expecting him to return next season, but that may not be the case, according to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus.
Russell Westbrook may leave the Los Angeles Clippers this summer.
Pincus expects Westbrook to seek a new contract for the full exception of midfield, something the Clippers won’t have at his disposal. It could mean another team could lure Westbrook away. However, two things are working in Los Angeles’ favor.
For example, bad teams that could afford to sign Westbrook likely wouldn’t be for several reasons, including age and fitness issues. Meanwhile, teams as good as the Miami Heat, who are tied for Westbrook, won’t be able to make it to the full mediocrity exception.
Even if he finds a team that can pay him what he feels he deserves, he may not be as good as the Clippers at full strength, and he may not even start. That could result in a pay cut, which could leave open the possibility of him returning to Los Angeles next season.
Overall, Westbrook has played surprisingly well in Los Angeles, and he might try to parlay that performance into a big new contract. That may be easier said than done, however, and Westbrook’s return to the Clippers next season is still a possibility but not a guarantee.