Ex-UCLA Guard Took Historic Pay Cut to Remain with NBA Franchise

Despite other lucrative offers, there's no place like home.

Former Bruin standout Russell Westbrook re-signed with the Clippers this past summer for a price that many fans thought was underselling his talents. 

At a meager two-year, $7.9 million deal, Russell Westbrook opted to stay in Los Angeles alongside Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the rest of the Clippers roster in pursuit of a championship. 

After making $47 million in salary last season, the former MVP's new deal is the largest pay cut in NBA history for his new contract as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski. 

Free agent Russell Westbrook has agreed on a two-year, nearly $8M deal to stay with the Clippers, agent Jeff Schwartz of @Excelbasketball tells ESPN. Deal includes player option. Clippers were eager to bring back 9-time All-Star after his late season run as starting point guard. pic.twitter.com/ycN4Mc6G1I

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2023

The surprise on the lower contract comes after an equally surprising playoff run for Westbrook on the Clippers. Despite fan criticism for his play while with the Lakers, Westbrook signed with the Clippers after a trade and subsequent buyout from the Utah Jazz. 

Trading the purple and gold for the red and blue of the other LA franchise, Westbrook showed composure and playmaking chops for a Clipper team that's lacked a true point guard since the departure of Chris Paul multiple seasons ago. 

During the regular season, Westbrook seemed to play more freely with the Clippers after his strenuous relationship with the Laker media market was well documented over the course of two seasons. 

Come playoff time, Westbrook's first impression to the postseason stage saw him shoot 3 for 18 from the field, but tough defense throughout the game displayed an impact far beyond the box score. 

Emphatically rejecting a late shot attempt against Devin Booker, Westbrook threw the ball off of Booker out of bounds to seal a Game 1 victory for the Clippers in their series against the Phoenix Suns. 

After Kawhi Leonard went down with a meniscus injury after Game 2, the Clippers made Westbrook the focal point of their offense and the UCLA product delivered in spades.

Consecutive 30 point efforts for the point guard were not enough for the Clippers to win either game at home against the Suns, but the effort was enough for the front office to want to bring Westbrook back. 

With the lower contract and less pressure on his shoulders, Westbrook has the chance to continue his already great career and add that elusive championship to his resume.