$4 Million for One Year: Where Will 35-Year-Old Westbrook Land Next?

In a move that has sparked much discussion and speculation, Russell Westbrook has opted into his $4 million player option for the upcoming season with the Los Angeles Clippers. This news was first reported by ESPN's renowned insider, with The Athletic's Clippers reporter, Law Murray, providing additional context. According to sources, despite Westbrook exercising his player option, his place on the Clippers’ roster for the new season is not guaranteed, as negotiations are still ongoing between both parties.

For Westbrook, this summer might feel unusually long and uncertain. His decision to pick up the player option may not necessarily reflect a strong desire to remain with the Clippers but rather an acknowledgment of the cold reception he anticipates in the free-agent market. This scenario mirrors the experiences of other players like Reggie Jackson and Nicolas Batum.

Reggie Jackson was bought out by the Detroit Pistons during the 2019-20 season and subsequently signed a minimum contract with the Clippers. During the 2020 offseason, he re-signed with the Clippers for another year on a minimum deal. After fulfilling two years with the team and meeting the early Bird rights criteria, Jackson secured a two-year, $21.6 million contract in the 2021 offseason.

Similarly, Nicolas Batum joined the Clippers on a minimum deal in the 2020 offseason. Due to the team's limited salary cap space, he signed a one-year, plus one player option minimum contract the following year. After meeting the early Bird rights criteria, Batum inked a two-year, $22 million contract in the 2022 offseason.

Westbrook’s situation has unfolded differently. Following his buyout from the Utah Jazz during the 2022-23 season, he joined the Clippers on a similar one-year, plus one player option minimum contract. The plan was likely to complete this year, meet the early Bird rights, and secure a multi-million dollar deal akin to Jackson and Batum. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned.

The primary reason for this is Westbrook's perceived decline in performance. Last season, he appeared in 68 games for the Clippers, including 11 as a substitute. He averaged 22.5 minutes per game, posting 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. While these stats are respectable, his shooting efficiency was subpar, with shooting percentages of 45.4% from the field, 27.3% from three-point range, and 68.8% from the free-throw line, culminating in a true shooting percentage of just 51.4%.

Westbrook’s effectiveness was further scrutinized during the playoffs. In the first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks, he averaged only 19 minutes per game, with his stats dropping to 6.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. His shooting percentages plummeted to 26.0% from the field, 23.5% from beyond the arc, and 61.5% from the free-throw line, resulting in a dismal true shooting percentage of 34.1%.

Despite his evident strengths, such as explosive athleticism, strong driving ability, and an energetic playing style, Westbrook's deficiencies have become more pronounced. His need for ball control, high turnover rate, and, most critically, his inability to shoot effectively from the perimeter and play off the ball have limited his effectiveness. In the Mavericks series, Jason Kidd’s defensive strategy exploited Westbrook’s shooting weakness, leading to significantly reduced playing time from coach Tyronn Lue in the final two games of the series.

At 35 years old, maintaining his physical condition, explosiveness, and speed is impressive. However, the modern NBA prioritizes shooting ability, and even young players must meet this requirement to survive. For instance, Josh Giddey of the Oklahoma City Thunder, despite being a tall point guard with All-Star potential, was traded to the Chicago Bulls for Alex Caruso due to his shooting deficiency, which Kidd similarly exposed in the playoffs.

Returning to Westbrook, his decision to exercise the player option primarily stems from the expectation of a lukewarm reception in the free-agent market, rather than a strong desire to remain with the Clippers. Whether he will still be wearing a Clippers jersey when the next season starts is uncertain. Westbrook may not want to stay with the Clippers, especially if James Harden re-signs with the team. Competing for playing time as Harden's backup could prevent Westbrook from showcasing his style of play.

On the other hand, the Clippers may not be particularly keen on his return. Even on a minimum contract, it would be challenging to bench a player of Westbrook’s stature, a 75th Anniversary Team member and future Hall of Famer. The awkward reality is that it’s unclear which team in the league would be interested in a 35-year-old player who requires the ball to be effective but lacks a reliable jump shot.

Westbrook’s career has been illustrious, featuring 199 triple-doubles, but as his ability to help teams wanes, he faces an uncertain future. The question now is, can we expect to witness his 200th career triple-double, and where will it happen?

As we wait for the next chapter in Westbrook’s career to unfold, his journey serves as a reminder of the relentless pace of change in professional basketball. Even the most decorated players must continually adapt to maintain their relevance in a league that increasingly values versatility and shooting efficiency.