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via Imago
Image credits: Imago
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-design-58-20.jpg?width=600)
via Imago
Image credits: Imago
Things have been going south for the Los Angeles Clippers ever since they brought in an iconic duo in 2019. The team suffered with constant injuries and most importantly during crucial playoff games. Amid these troubling times, the front office brought in Russell Westbrook to the side mid-season in 2023. However, it hasn’t proved to make any change in the postseason as they crashed out in the first round. But NBA legend Gilbert Arenas recently revealed a shocking insight behind Beastbrook’s meagre $7 million 2-year contract.
Westbrook had his breakout season in 2016-17 where he averaged 31.6 points and eventually went on to win the MVP award. Following the season, he seemed to struggle to match up to the standard set by himself as he ended the last season averaging 15.8 points. However, Gilbert Arenas believes that Westbrook has a different role to play while their iconic duo, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, take care of the offense.
Russell Westbrook to get an important role?
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When the Clippers roped in PG and Leonard onto the side, they believed in them to end their trophy drought. Contrarily, the duo couldn’t deliver for the side, as they suffered constant injuries. Importantly, the first office has spent close to half a billion dollars on the duo in the last four years. Some may think it’s a costly affair, but Gilbert Arenas has a solution for the Clippers. And the answer is the recent $7 million Westbrook deal.
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USA Today via Reuters
Jan 22, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket between LA Clippers guard Paul George (13) and forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the third quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports | Courtesy: Reuters
Describing Westbrook’s new role, Arenas said, “Here is something that is going to shock the basketball world.” He further revealed his conversation with Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue on the reason behind signing Brook for a lesser-worth deal.
He quoted Lue, “We gave everything we had. He didn’t wanna go nowhere. Now we are glad he didn’t because we didn’t have a leader and he is our leader.”
The panel further went on to talk about Westbrook’s role in the upcoming season alongside the veteran duo.
Despite spending a lot on the Leonard and George, the Clippers are yet to reap its benefits.
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How did the duo cost up to half a billion dollars for the Clippers?
The LA side traded the hometown boy right after his championship season with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. Kawhi Leonard signed a four-year contract for $141 million right after they signed Paul George, reported Forbes. Leonard later declined his player option in the second year and signed another four-year- contract for $176 million. On top of that, he missed an entire season due to an injury.
On the other hand, the Clippers traded out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for PG from the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019, as reported by Bleacher Report. Moreover, the Clippers resigned PG in 2021 for $176M and everything adds up to half a billion dollars.
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What do you make of the Clippers’ potential performance in the upcoming season? Will it be ‘the season’ for the Clippers in their 2023-24 outing? Let us know in the comments!