Russell Westbrook will return to the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2023-24 NBA season. Westbrook signed a two-year $8.0 million contract with the Clippers. He impressed the team with his performance in 21 regular season games last season, coupled with his showing in five games of the 2023 playoffs.
Westbrook averaged 15.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 7.5 APG last season in 73 games. Keeping that in mind, former NBA player Gilbert Arenas believes Russell Westbrook should have earned a contract in the range of $100-$150 million for multiple years.
“I think Westbrook will be a better version of himself going into next year,” Arenas said on a recent episode of Gil’s Arenas. “Now, knowing that he’s a Clipper and they want him there, the Clipper fans are a little bit better; I feel like he’s going to have some type of impact to help. To be honest, when it comes to superstar talent, he’s the most sturdy player out there.”
Arenas added: “I mean, you’re talking about 73 games this year, 78 last year; he’s f*****g durable. The man averaged 16 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, and I would have said, ‘Do you know if Gabe Vincent was averaging my stats, he’d be asking for $200 million?’ With his stats, these free agents would be asking for $100 to $150 million.”
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Russell Westbrook is currently 34 years old and is undoubtedly he’s out of his prime. Despite that, Brodie proved that he can start as a point guard on a championship contender like the Clippers.
His stats, alongside his durability, led Arenas to believe that Brodie is underpaid. At the end of the day, staying with the Clippers will increase Russ’ chances of winning the first ring of his career. If he becomes an NBA champion by next summer, he’d be happy regardless of not landing a contract worth more than $100 million.
The Clippers Are Excited To Have Russell Westbrook Back On The Team
Following Russell Westbrook’s underwhelming stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, the narrative around the former MVP couldn’t have been worse. He was blamed for most of the Lakers’ failure.
However, Westbrook earned a chance at redemption by playing for the Clippers. He made a great impression on crucial figures of the team in just 21 games. Paul George believes the 34-year-old’s return is important for the Clippers’ culture.
Clippers general manager Frank Lawrence also shared similar thoughts about Russell Westbrook. All things considered, Westbrook has finally found a team that honors him and wants to be a part of it for the foreseeable future.
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