Clippers, Russell Westbrook agree on 2-year, $7.8 million deal - ESPN

Free agent guard Russell Westbrook has agreed on a new two-year, $7.8 million deal to stay with the LA Clippers, his agent Jeff Schwartz of Excel Basketball told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Saturday.

The deal includes a player option after the 2023-2024 season for Westbrook, Schwartz said, and clears the way for him to return as the franchise's starting point guard. The Clippers were eager to bring back the nine-time All-Star after his productive post-trade deadline run as a starter.

The Clippers were only able to offer the former MVP point guard the $3.8-million non-Bird exception but the Los Angeles native found a home with the Clippers in the second half of the season after a short but rocky tenure with the Lakers.

«One thing I do tell you is that I love it here,» Westbrook said after the Clippers were eliminated in the first round by the Phoenix Suns in late April. «I love the people, just the fans overall embracing not just me but my family and close friends. I know, end of the year, a lot of things have happened, but I'm grateful. I definitely love being here.»

The Clippers have been looking to upgrade their roster around Kawhi Leonard and Paul George through trade this summer. In addition to having interest in a potential deal for James Harden, the Clippers are also among the teams interested in exploring a trade for Damian Lillard, sources told Wojnarowski on Saturday.

Westbrook exceeded all expectations with the Clippers after his tenure with the Lakers fell short of what many thought would happen when he teamed up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Following a season and a half with the Lakers, Westbrook was traded at the February deadline to Utah, which bought the veteran point guard out.

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