Former Lakers Flameout Inks Multi-Year Deal with Western Conference Rival Franchise

He found a new home!

The first half of the Los Angeles Lakers' 2022-2023 season was largely defined by their poor chemistry and lack of cohesion for months on end. LA's front office had traded for Russell Westbrook about a year and a half before that time period and it was believed that they would be forming a new big three with him next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

However, we all know how that turned... Brodie never could find his flow and even though he started getting some sixth man of the year noise when he finally accepted his bench role, he shot just 41 percent from the field and 29 percent from three and the Lakers had remained outside of the playoff race looking in.

“Last year the Lakers had 3 players making $40 million or more. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook. Everyone else was veteran minimums. You have a nice balance right now as far as flexibility if you ever have to do a deal down the road.”pic.twitter.com/oJEXZGbKMm

— Laker Central (@LakerCentral365) July 1, 2023

So Westbrook was dealt away in a massive trade at the deadline that saw D'Angelo Russell end up in his place and he became a free agent after the Utah Jazz bought him out. It was then the Los Angeles Clippers who gave him a shot after two of the worst seasons of his career and he certainly fit in with them on a much smaller deal and role. 

And now that he hit free agency once again this offseason, the Clippers liked what they saw from him enough to the point where they will now be bringing him back on a two-year deal worth $8 million.

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

"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."

Westbrook especially showed up for the Clippers in the first round of the 2023 playoffs where he held down the fort without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and even though they lost in five games, he kept most of them competitive averaging 23 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

And people will blame this on the Lakers but it's important to remember that he was making over $40 million with the purple and gold versus under $1 million with the Clippers. Therefore, the Clippers did not have to part ways with a number of role players and spacing like the Lakers did.

Nonetheless, it's great to see that Westbrook's time in the NBA is not done yet and we look forward to many Lakers & Clippers matchups soon!.