After a poor year and a half with the Lakers, Russell Westbrook signed with the Clippers. In the 21 regular season games he played to close out the season, he averaged respectable 15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 7.6 assists while shooting 48.9% from the field and 35.6% from shooting. Three.
He saw the most success he’s had in a while in Los Angeles’ first-round playoff series against Phoenix when he averaged 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists in five games.
Westbrook will be an unrestricted free agent this year. He has apparently found a home with the Clippers and it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if LA were to re-sign him. He would stay in Southern California, which is where he grew up and went to college. However, that hasn’t stopped the guard from being linked to the Knicks.
The Knicks’ top priority this offseason has to be adding shooters to their roster, and Westbrook doesn’t fit that description.
Westbrook’s performance in the playoffs could have boosted his free agency value, but his new contract will likely be in the range of one team’s mid-level exception, about $12 million. The Knicks’ books are already tight and New York’s priorities should be to sign Josh Hart to a new contract if he decides to give up his player option and then give Quickley an extension. That leaves no room for Westbrook.