Russell Westbrook likely to leave Clippers for new contract in free agency
Westbrook’s role took on a different spotlight when he was lost to a fractured hand in March, a period that saw the Clippers go 6-6 and lose five straight games at home. But upon Westbrook’s return, the Clippers went on a stretch where they won seven of eight games, culminating in the future Hall of Famer’s lone triple-double of the season while starting in place of Harden at Phoenix. Even when Westbrook saw success after his return, he often mentioned how he felt he could play more, and he did not speak to reporters at any point after the regular season ended. Does the nine-time All-Star and former MVP want to continue in this kind of limited role while playing on a veteran’s minimum deal, or might he have played his way into a better opportunity elsewhere? Considering the challenges that came with him being relegated to a reserve role, with team and league sources indicating that the process was far more challenging behind the scenes than team officials had made it appear publicly, the answer may very well be the latter.
Source: The Athletic
Source: The Athletic
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Asked Paul George about Russell Westbrook with both players having player options pic.twitter.com/nnyI2BrAiy – 1:31 AM
Asked Paul George about Russell Westbrook with both players having player options pic.twitter.com/nnyI2BrAiy – 1:31 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
🆕 @TheAthletic with @sam_amick
Kawhi Leonard under contract
Paul George/Russell Westbrook POs
James Harden free agent
Tyronn Lue business
And a Clippers team that has little leverage as they go Intuit.
theathletic.com/5470867/2024/0… – 1:28 AM
🆕 @TheAthletic with @sam_amick
Kawhi Leonard under contract
Paul George/Russell Westbrook POs
James Harden free agent
Tyronn Lue business
And a Clippers team that has little leverage as they go Intuit.
theathletic.com/5470867/2024/0… – 1:28 AM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
Inside another lost Clippers season, and why sources say owner Steve Ballmer wants to run it back again with this superstar trio, w/ @LawMurrayTheNU
Intel on what lies ahead for Paul George, James Harden, Ty Lue, and…Russell Westbrook, at @TheAthletic
theathletic.com/5470867/2024/0… – 1:22 AM
Inside another lost Clippers season, and why sources say owner Steve Ballmer wants to run it back again with this superstar trio, w/ @LawMurrayTheNU
Intel on what lies ahead for Paul George, James Harden, Ty Lue, and…Russell Westbrook, at @TheAthletic
theathletic.com/5470867/2024/0… – 1:22 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Active players with 17K+ career points:
LeBron
Durant
Harden
Westbrook
Steph
DeRozan
CP3
Dame
Giannis
PG13
AD
Kyrie Irving
Only one of them is still in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/xC0mCinUhT – 12:30 AM
Active players with 17K+ career points:
LeBron
Durant
Harden
Westbrook
Steph
DeRozan
CP3
Dame
Giannis
PG13
AD
Kyrie Irving
Only one of them is still in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/xC0mCinUhT – 12:30 AM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Before the ball was just inbounded, Luka Doncic and Russell Westbrook were talking to one another. Westbrook moved from the end of the bench toward the middle to talk to Doncic. Mavs up 96-76 with 9:24 left. – 11:51 PM
Before the ball was just inbounded, Luka Doncic and Russell Westbrook were talking to one another. Westbrook moved from the end of the bench toward the middle to talk to Doncic. Mavs up 96-76 with 9:24 left. – 11:51 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Mavericks turn a seven-point lead into an 87-72 bulge by closing the third quarter on a 13-5 blitz fueled by offensive rebounding and by living with Russell Westbrook attacking for the Clippers. – 11:45 PM
Mavericks turn a seven-point lead into an 87-72 bulge by closing the third quarter on a 13-5 blitz fueled by offensive rebounding and by living with Russell Westbrook attacking for the Clippers. – 11:45 PM
Eric Patten @EricPatten
If Westbrook and Plumlee are going to passively swat at rebounds and help off shooters for no reason… there is no reason for them to play – 10:26 PM
If Westbrook and Plumlee are going to passively swat at rebounds and help off shooters for no reason… there is no reason for them to play – 10:26 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
If I had to go on feel
– Mann
– George
– Zubac
– Harden
– Westbrook – 8:12 PM
If I had to go on feel
– Mann
– George
– Zubac
– Harden
– Westbrook – 8:12 PM
Bill Simmons @BillSimmons
It was all Darvin Ham’s fault! Remember when he traded for Westbrook, picked D-Lo over Conley in the Russ makeup trade, drafted Hood-Schifino over Jaquez, signed Wood and Reddish, gave Rui and D-Lo short deals that immediately made them trade rumor guys… – 2:13 PM
It was all Darvin Ham’s fault! Remember when he traded for Westbrook, picked D-Lo over Conley in the Russ makeup trade, drafted Hood-Schifino over Jaquez, signed Wood and Reddish, gave Rui and D-Lo short deals that immediately made them trade rumor guys… – 2:13 PM
More on this storyline
Ohm Youngmisuk: Asked if there’s been any consideration of making any changes to rotation in regards to Russell Westbrook’s offensive struggles, Ty Lue said no. When asked if he has considered changes to the starting lineup, Lue said yes. -via Twitter @NotoriousOHM / May 3, 2024
Nick Wright: Jalen Brunson just became the 2nd player in NBA playoff history, joining Westbrook, to average 40 points & 10 assists over any 4 game stretch. -via Twitter @getnickwright / May 3, 2024
Nick Wright: Jalen Brunson just became the 5th player in NBA playoff history, joining Westbrook, LeBron, Kareem & Giannis, to average a 40 point double-double over any 4 game stretch. Truly historic tear he’s been on this past week. -via Twitter @getnickwright / May 3, 2024