Russell Westbrook made quite an impact after signing with the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2022-23 season. In particular, he shone in the playoffs with pretty good averages of 23.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 1.4 BPG in the first round against the Phoenix Suns.
It was little surprise then that the Clippers wanted him back, and Westbrook agreed on a two-year, $8 million deal to re-sign with them. It was a huge pay cut for Russ considering his previous salary, and Paul George praised him for it while also explaining why it was important for the Clippers to get this deal done.
“Shoutout Russ. That’s a steal,” George said on Podcast P. “You get Russ at the minimum. That is a steal. Russ is doing so well off the court, that he’s not moved by money.”
George stated that he didn’t think Westbrook would be coming back, as the Clippers weren’t going to be able to offer him much. He didn’t want to try to put any kind of pressure on him to get back, but Westbrook himself told him he was trying to return.
“It’s dope, man. I’m happy to have Russ back, he means so much to the team,” George added. “Just that small stint that he had with us, he changed the whole culture in that short of a time.”
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George also added that while some players on lesser deals wouldn’t give maximum effort, that won’t be the case with Westbrook. He gives his all on the court no matter what the circumstance and will be huge for the Clippers next season.
The energy and effort he gave after signing last season seemed to inspire a group that had been accused of lacking in it in years past. He changed the culture, as George stated, and gave a much-needed jolt to that locker room.
The Clippers GM Spoke About Westbrook Re-Signing With Them
George, in some ways, echoed the words of Clippers GM Lawrence Frank. After Westbrook re-signed with the team, Frank stated he was everything the Clippers had hoped he’d be. He also praised Russ for his play on the court and for the urgency as well as intensity that he brought to the gym in those two months.
There was talk at various points during Westbrook’s tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers that his days in the league could be numbered. The Clippers stint showed, though, that he can still play at a high level and be a big positive to a team in the locker room as well.
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