NBA rumors: Russell Westbrook's Clippers future gets cryptic update after contract decision

06/30/2024 02:06 PM

Perhaps no team is under more pressure this NBA free agency period–set to begin on Sunday evening–than the Los Angeles Clippers, who are currently holding their breath after Paul George declined his player option earlier this weekend and is now set to hit unrestricted free agency. George has been the less impactful but more reliable of the pairing between himself and Kawhi Leonard that was formed in 2019, and that Clippers duo is now at risk of disbanding without much to show for it if George chooses to take his talents elsewhere.

Another storyline emerged for the Clippers earlier this offseason when it was revealed that guard Russell Westbrook had accepted his $4 million player option. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that Los Angeles is still interested in retaining his services, and the team could reportedly opt to look elsewhere for options in the backcourt regardless of what George’s decision may be.

“Russell Westbrook on Saturday exercised his $4 million player option for next season with the Clippers, but his future with the team remains uncertain amid a lack of clarity about LA’s willingness to keep him on the roster,” reported NBA insider Marc Stein on Substack.

“…Paul and Philadelphia’s Kyle Lowry have come up frequently in recent weeks as free agents-to-be known to interest the Clippers as they assemble their 2024-25 team. While Lowry has been widely projected to stay with Philly, Paul could become a free agent if he is waived Sunday either by the Warriors or a team that trades for him. San Antonio is likewise believed to have Paul interest if the 39-year-old reaches free agency.”

What should the Clippers do?

Neither Russell Westbrook, Kyle Lowry, or Chris Paul are currently anywhere close to the players they were during their respective prime years. However, all are still capable of at least contributing in spurts to winning basketball. After all, it was just one season ago that Lowry played a pretty decently sized role in the Miami Heat’s run all the way to the NBA Finals.

As for Westbrook, the former NBA MVP still brings a lot of hustle and energy to the table, and can occasionally explode to the basket and get by defenders, but the 35 year-old has continued to see his shooting numbers plummet and is still disregarded by opposing defenses as a threat from beyond the arc, something that played out in real time during the Clippers’ loss to the Dallas Mavericks in this year’s postseason.

The fit with Westbrook alongside Leonard, George, and James Harden was always going to be awkward, but the severe limitations in Westbrook’s game made it a near impossibility for head coach Ty Lue to play the four together despite how much pressure they are each capable of putting on opposing defenses on an individual level.

In any case, a lot more dominoes will fall into place after Paul George makes his decision. The star can begin taking meetings on Sunday night and is sure to have interest from plenty of suitors around the league.

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