Russell Westbrook Clippers Return Eyed by Lawrence Frank: 'Give Him a Ton of Credit'

The Los Angeles Clippers want Russell Westbrook to stick around next year.

"We want to bring Russell Westbrook back," team president Lawrence Frank said Thursday, per Justin Russo. "I give him a ton of credit."

According to Frank, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and head coach Tyronn Lue "advocated" for Westbrook, an impending free agent, during the campaign.

The Clippers were bounced from the first round in five games against the Phoenix Suns. During the series, Westbrook led Los Angeles with 7.4 assists and 1.4 blocks per contest while averaging 23.6 points.

Westbrook joined the Clippers in February following a series of moves that saw him traded from the Los Angeles Lakers, bought out by the Utah Jazz and eventually signed by the Clippers for the prorated veteran minimum of $784,914.

The Lakers' expectations were high for Westbrook when the NBA's all-time leader in triple-doubles joined Anthony Davis and LeBron James in 2021. It didn't work out. Westbrook was eventually moved to the second unit, and his game—which included a lack of floor-spacing—was never a fit for the Lakers.

He returned to a starting role with the Clippers, and after up-and-down performances during the regular season, he had his most productive game of the campaign right when the Clippers needed it most. Westbrook put up 37 points against the Suns as Los Angeles tried to fight off being put on the brink of elimination in last Friday's Game 4.

Westbrook's performance wasn't enough to make up for the absences of Leonard and George, who were out with knee injuries, but it showed the Clippers he could still play a starting role.

The Clippers will have to determine how much it will take to retain Westbrook, who had $13.2 million left on his contract when bought out by the Jazz. As a California native, Westbrook might have extra incentive to work out a deal to stay in Los Angeles.