Lakers Clippers signing Russell Westbrook

Two days after the Utah Jazz released Russell Westbrook, the Los Angeles Clippers made his contract official on Wednesday. After a difficult 18 months with his hometown team, Westbrook was moved from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team transaction on February 10. The nine-time All-Star, who was reportedly earning $47 million in the final season of his deal, struggled to gel with LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers’ fractured squad, which is currently on course to miss the playoffs for the second straight year.

Brodie will probably take a more active role now that he isn’t playing with LeBron James, especially in light of the fact that Paul George had previously shown confidence in Westbrook’s ability. Additionally, Westbrook’s perception of this chance may have been influenced by Paul’s resolve to steal “Mr. Triple Double” as well. Westbrook acknowledged to the media tonight that he was truly enjoying being around the Clippers. He underlined how crucial it is to be on a team where you are genuinely wanted.

In fact, at the NBA trade deadline last year, King James tried to promote a deal for Russell Westbrook. This was something that ultimately came to pass earlier this month when D’Angelo Russell was acquired by Los Angeles as the centrepiece of a three-team transaction including the aforementioned Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves. Westbrook, for his part, hasn’t kept quiet about what has turned out to be a tense relationship with the Lakers and their star player. As a disastrous 2021–22 season in Southern California came to a conclusion, he went to the media to air his grievances. Westbrook stated in April, “When I initially arrived here, I just felt like I was never given a fair shot to be who I needed to be to better serve this team.”

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