LOS ANGELES — Russell Westbrook formally cleared waivers and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half of the 2022-2023 National Basketball Association season.
The nine-time All-Star sealed his Clippers deal before hitting the practice court as the team gathered for the first time since the All-Star break.
“I’m super excited. I love to play basketball and I just have a lot of fun while doing it,” Westbrook said.
“I get to stay home, see the wife and the kids and take them to school in the morning. That’s a big part of my day and you know, nothing more important than that.”
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said Westbrook will play on Friday when they host the Sacramento Kings. When asked how he views what role Westbrook will play and if he would be a starter, Lue said, “I view him as what you will see on Friday.”
Westbrook is from the Los Angeles area, was a standout at UCLA and played less than two seasons for the Lakers before being traded to the Jazz on 10 February as part of a three-team deal.
The Jazz waived him on Monday. Westbrook cleared waivers because no team had the salary-cap space to take on the remaining $47 million he was owed on his expiring contract.
The 15-year veteran is averaging 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 28.7 minutes per game. He is one of only six players in the NBA this season averaging at least 15 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ director of basketball operations, said both sides are on the same page about how Westbrook can help the team.
“We had an upfront and honest dialogue. I thought it was a really clean process, in that we talked through a lot of different possibilities to make sure that this could be a good relationship,” Frank said.
Westbrook is reuniting with Paul George, his former teammate in Oklahoma City. George had lobbied the front office to add a point guard before the trade deadline.
George then stepped up the recruiting effort for Westbrook after he was traded to Utah and it appeared he could become a free agent.
“I’ve been in this league a long time and being somewhere that people want you and they embrace you meant a lot to me,” Westbrook said.