Breaking: Russell Westbrook Makes Big Decision on His Future

Russell Westbrook was not happy last season with the Los Angeles Clippers. He assumed a spot on the second unit, forever banished from the starters soon after the arrival of James Harden early in the season. Westbrook soldiered on while playing far fewer minutes per game than he had ever played before in a season, just 22.5 (his career average was nearly 35 minutes a night heading into last season).

So when it came time for him to decide on his $4 million player option for the coming season, most observers thought he would decline it and look for a new opportunity. However, he has now made his somewhat surprising decision.

ESPN Sources: Nine-time All-Star G Russell Westbrook is picking up his $4 million option and returning to the Los Angeles Clippers. Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5 rebounds and 4.5 assists a season ago. pic.twitter.com/p1sIeJy2tk
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2024

The former 9-time All-Star and MVP has picked up his option and is planning to return to the Clippers.

Now, what the team’s next move will be, is anybody’s guess.

Can confirm that Russell Westbrook is picking up player option for next season @wojespn first.

Per source, it is still undetermined whether or not Westbrook will be on 2024-25 roster, so things are still developing there
— Law Murray 🛝 (@LawMurrayTheNU) June 29, 2024

In fact, Clipper beat writer Law Murray of The Athletic says "it is still undetermined whether or not Westbrook will be on 2024-25 roster, so things are still developing there."

According to Evan Sidery, Westbrook actually would’ve had a market in unrestricted free agency from contending teams. Perhaps the Clippers will now work on a trade.

Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists, also all career lows (save for rebounds, which was his lowest in 12 years).