Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports activities
2023-24 playoff numbers (six video games): 6.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 23.5 3P%
Former league MVP Russell Westbrook deserves credit score for being keen to simply accept a lesser bench position as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. He even had a stable common season in 2023-24, averaging 11.1 factors, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists on 45.4 p.c capturing, even incomes Sixth Man of the Yr votes within the course of.
However issues sort of fell aside for Westbrook within the playoffs, the place, in six video games, he was solely capable of put up 6.3 factors and 4.2 rebounds in a first-round playoff defeat for Los Angeles by the hands of the Dallas Mavericks. Even worse, Westbrook shot 23.5 p.c from three and 26.0 p.c from the ground in postseason motion.
Clearly, that damage Westbrook’s free-agent inventory heading into the summer season, which can or might not matter contemplating the triple-double GOAT has a participant choice for 2024-25 on his deal, one value $4.0 million. Frequent sense may lead one to imagine Westbrook, heading into his age-36 season, could be set to train that choice and return to the Clippers for one more marketing campaign.
Nonetheless, that will not be the case, in accordance with The Athletic, which not too long ago reported that Westbrook, in quest of an even bigger position, could possibly be in search of a special alternative elsewhere this summer season:
Westbrook’s position took on a special highlight when he was misplaced to a fractured hand in March, a interval that noticed the Clippers go 6-6 and lose 5 straight video games at dwelling. However upon Westbrook’s return, the Clippers went on a stretch the place they received seven of eight video games, culminating sooner or later Corridor of Famer’s lone triple-double of the season whereas beginning rather than Harden at Phoenix. Even when Westbrook noticed success after his return, he typically talked about how he felt he may play extra, and he didn’t converse to reporters at any level after the common season ended. Does the nine-time All-Star and former MVP need to proceed in this type of restricted position whereas enjoying on a veteran’s minimal deal, or may he have performed his manner into a greater alternative elsewhere? Contemplating the challenges that got here with him being relegated to a reserve position, with workforce and league sources indicating that the method was far tougher behind the scenes than workforce officers had made it seem publicly, the reply might very effectively be the latter.
If that actually is the case, it’s unclear what kind of position the previous UCLA standout, who’s about to show 36, is in search of. Would a workforce be keen to shell out more cash than the minimal and provide up a beginning job for the long run Corridor-of-Famer?
That could be very a lot unclear for the time being. Although Westbrook can nonetheless assist a workforce together with his vitality, protection and passing as a bench choice, that may not be the case as a starter anymore, as Westbrook has misplaced a step athletically and stays as inefficient as ever together with his outdoors capturing.
Plus, his poor 2023-24 postseason the place he struggled to make a big impact whereas changing on simply 13 of his 50 shot makes an attempt will in all probability damage him if he’s in search of more cash and an even bigger position in free company.
For extra on Russell Westbrook’s free company and wage, click on right here.
