r/nba • u/funnysloth9 Mavericks • 2d ago
[TOMER AZARLY] Russell Westbrook is expected to leave the Clippers in Free Agency.
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u/CloneWarsMaul Celtics 2d ago
What would his market even look like? What teams would want to give him significant playing time?
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u/Diferia Suns 2d ago edited 2d ago
Suns would easily take him for vet min we need a pg and he fits with brad/KD, can defend and pass, cant think of an easier choice.
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u/machiavellius Lakers 2d ago
The Russ KD reunion would be epic
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u/Ophelia_Of_The_Abyss Knicks 2d ago
We've had KD-Russ-Harden, KD-Russ, Russ-Harden, Harden-KD, Russ-Harden (x2), now time for another KD-Russ
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u/ComoEstanBitches Lakers 2d ago
Serge Ibaka combos: 0
Serge Ibaka championships: 1
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u/keepitbased Warriors 2d ago
Harden’s a free agent too, right? He can tag along!
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u/ThatDudeNamedMenace Knicks 2d ago
Imagine all three of them together…how would that look?
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u/Own-Lynx498 2d ago
lol Westbrook replacing Okogie?
I thought the Suns hated 4 v 5 offense?
As we saw with the Mavs series, with Westbrook you are playing 4 v 6 offense. Man is a double agent.
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u/seattle_born98 Suns 2d ago
If we could run a 5-out with Westbrook in the dunker's spot a la Celtics that's a way to alleviate his lack of spacing.
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u/Longest_Broccoli 2d ago
Do y’all have a 5 who can space the floor? I thought the only big man on your roster was Nurk
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u/DwightKurtShrute69 Supersonics 2d ago
Russ can defend? When he’s not ball watching maybe lol
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u/DeStupak Timberwolves 2d ago
He can. He just doesn't.
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u/WinterCareful8525 2d ago
He was pretty locked in this year. Still ball watches though
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u/AmusingAnecdote Warriors 2d ago
When he is both locked in and on ball, he is a good defender. And he does hunt rebounds, which can end possessions. But the ball watching is atrocious even when he is otherwise locked in (and he's not always locked in).
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u/WinterCareful8525 2d ago
The ball watching is bad. Even when he’s trying. I get the saying now “old habits die hard”
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u/sir_alvarex [OKC] Russell Westbrook 2d ago
Which is annoying because when he was younger it was his offball defense "when locked in" that made him elite. He'd get caught sleeping every once in awhile - like most players - but he would absolutely take a guy out of the game if he wanted to.
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u/m8bear Argentina 2d ago
He's just too physical and never learned to play any other way, he can't take a lesser load on offense to be more effective on defense because a lesser load means not running or jumping, he doesn't have a post game, when he blows by you he misses a lot of layups, he never was an off ball cutter or anything other than a ball dominant PG and if he did take a different role, it was always limited you can't expect mid 30's Russ to play like 20 years old Russ.
If he was a mediocre shooter he'd still be effective late into his career, but not even that.
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u/TheBigBomma Thunder 2d ago
Someone’s take is out of date, he rated as an elite defender most of last year, and the clippers fell in a heap when he got hurt.
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u/30another Suns 2d ago
He defended us really well in 1st round of last season
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u/Beautiful_Location76 2d ago
For real. I remember one game he got like 3 steals ripping KD's jumper. He's still a menace guarding the ball when he tries hard.
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u/Kobe_stan_ Lakers 2d ago
He's an elite defender who can give you 10/5/5 in 20 minutes off the bench, and yet there's no market for him. Something doesn't add up
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u/chloroform42 [OKC] Andre Roberson 2d ago
It’s the offense now, can’t finish and shoots even worse, makes up for it with hustle and defense usually
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u/sir_alvarex [OKC] Russell Westbrook 2d ago
We don't know the market for him yet. The Clippers was a personal choice for winning and staying in LA. We will see if he gets any interest this offseason.
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u/giraffe_yogurt Thunder 2d ago
Russ was statistically the best defender on the clippers this season.
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u/__john_cena__ Rockets 2d ago
I almost think he would be awesome on OKC in a really limited role, just for the minutes when Shai is on the bench. Their team is designed for Russ to thrive. Don’t think he wants to play 14 minutes a game though and even then the Thunder still might say no.
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u/Billis- Raptors 2d ago
I dont see how 14 mpg and "designed for Russ to thrive" belong in the same breath.
Sounds like he wants 30mpg
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u/OUEngineer17 Nuggets 2d ago
I'd love to have him run our bench unit during the regular season and he'd probably be good in the playoffs for when Jokic sits, but don't think we could promise him significant minutes.
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u/Sokkawater10 Warriors 2d ago
Everyone who thinks that ends up not liking that arrangement
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u/DefenderCone97 Nuggets 2d ago
We're at the "throw spaghetti and see what sticks" part of our team
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u/Sokkawater10 Warriors 2d ago
No you’re not lmao. You have the best player in the league. You don’t throw spaghetti at that especially not one with Russ’s headaches
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u/stevent4 Nuggets 2d ago
We seriously need depth, we're pretty fucked by the new CBA rules too
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u/Captaincoolbeans Nuggets 2d ago
Exactly. We really bought into young guys stepping up (spoiler alert: they didn’t)
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u/GoForAGap Nuggets 2d ago
What? Pretty sure the clippers like him, pretty sure the wizards and rockets liked him. It’s literally only the lakers who didn’t like him
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u/Shenanigans80h Nuggets 2d ago
With Reggie gone, we definitely need a capable ball handler for the second unit, someone who can at least distribute consistently enough. Staggering Jamal works in spurts but we also need to try and keep him healthy. There are worse options than Russ frankly
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u/sir_alvarex [OKC] Russell Westbrook 2d ago
Russ works great with bigs like Jokic so it would he interesting. Plus the stat sheet would be stuffed.
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u/The-Hand-of-Midas Nuggets 2d ago
45% field goal percentage.
I'd rather just let Julian get minutes and chuck for development.
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u/thiefshipping Spurs 2d ago
Could probably stagger him and murray as starters too since Murray tends to get injured a ton.
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u/Beautiful_Location76 2d ago
I actually think Russ on the Nuggets could be nice. Especially if they can get another shooter for the bench. Russ with Jokic and shooters could do some damage in the paint
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u/jm3546 Thunder 2d ago
Teams that need ball movers and energy. Suns would do it. I think he could work on the Magic. Pelicans could maybe use him, move the ball around a bit more and push the pace.
Honestly Denver might be a good option because they just traded Reggie Jackson. He'd run the second unit and could maybe be fun with Jokic as a cutter.
It would be on the minimum, so it's not like a team is giving up anything.
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u/Cbone06 2d ago
Magic aren't a great fit. They really need shooting and Russ's most glaring weakness is his shooting.
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u/jm3546 Thunder 2d ago
I assume they are trying to address shooting in some way too. Idk, I don't know the plan but they just need to generate more catch and shoot opportunities and that's hard when the ball doesn't move.
They were pretty far down the bottom on assists and pace. He'd cut into Fultz and Anthony's minutes and they are also bad shooters so I don't think it makes their problem any worse but maybe just increasing the pace helps generate shots.
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u/JustADutchRudder Timberwolves 2d ago
If it's only a minimum, we could pick a funny option. He comes to the Wolves. Him and Rudy can help eachother become 100% free throw shooters.
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u/FairlySuspect 2d ago
Not sure uniting with another bad shooter is the path to shooting well
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u/GoForAGap Nuggets 2d ago
Us. We desperately need a backup PG and he would be perfect. Say what you want about his shooting splits but he always gives 110%
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u/SaltyRussStan0 Mavericks 2d ago
I’m not gonna say he’s some top free agent or anything, but he was a very positive player last year. He was one of the top vote getters for 6moy and the Clippers even started playing significantly worse when he got injured. He was awful during the playoffs, but to act like there is no market for a great playmaking and good defending point guard during the regular season is crazy.
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u/Gobbledygooker316 Rockets 2d ago
He’s going on tour with Kendrick
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u/891960 [MIN] Kevin Garnett 2d ago
Perkins? Hahaaha
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u/LoxDnw Thunder 2d ago
Come home Brodie
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u/AfroManHighGuy 2d ago
OKC Russ was my favorite player growing up. He needs a proper send off in his original jersey. Please make it happen presti
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u/BounceMan Rockets 2d ago
monkey paw curls It happens, but he ends up being the reason you don't win the finals next year in a clear and undeniable way.
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u/TheOneBrew Thunder 2d ago
If okc makes the finals and lose next year it would still be a great season.
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u/IDespiseFatties Thunder 2d ago
Bro I know Westbrook isn't as good as he was in his prime obviously but him running the second squad would still be nasty af and sell out every game.
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u/TFTisbetterthanLoL NBA 2d ago
They’d actually sell out every night, especially in the playoffs. One of the most hype moments I’ve ever watched (and I say this as a lakers fan) was when Russ hit the insane and-one layup in the playoffs after getting fouled by I believe Derick Fisher with the crowd going crazy
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u/Gino-Bartali Thunder 2d ago
Would be a great season, but the clock is ticking on all these great players on even better contracts.
I'm torn on that hypothetical. I need the Brodie.
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u/KhanQu3st Mavericks 2d ago
I think any of Harden, KD and Westbrook returning to OKC to help fill out the lineup with veteran talent would be cool as hell, especially since they can ring chase on their original team now lol.
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u/lilflipgivemegrillz Thunder 2d ago
It’s Fuck KD 24/7 here in OKC. I know literally everyone else has forgiven him for the “hardest road” signing but we def haven’t.
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u/KhanQu3st Mavericks 2d ago
Lol, I found him signing with the Warriors cringe and annoying, I don't think he ever needed forgiveness from me tho. Thunder fans, more understandable.
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u/Organic-Manner-2969 NBA 2d ago
Bro blew a 3-1 lead, then proceeded to lie to the team and lead them on so they couldn’t get replacements, then slandered the team online, to which he got caught because he forgot to log off the main
Thunder fans have every right to not forgive him
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u/PullingtheVeil 2d ago
Fuck KD keep him the hell away from the thunder.
The others are welcome back. Including Steven Adams.
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u/KhanQu3st Mavericks 2d ago
Time for
SGA, JDub, Chet, Sabonis, and Dort, with Caruso, JWill, Westbrook, Adams, and Harden off the bench.
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u/shoutsoutstomywrist [NJN] Vince Carter 2d ago
He really should just ride out into the sunset with this OKC group he’ll forever be loved there anyways
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u/bullpaw Bulls 2d ago
that would make demar to the clips more realistic
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u/dead-serious San Diego Clippers 2d ago
where you hearing this? LAC need a starting 5 of all so-cal guys
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u/bullpaw Bulls 2d ago
Bulls best beat reporter KC named the Clips as the team to look out for if we don't re-sign him
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u/Dj3garrett 2d ago
How?
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u/I-Love-Redditors Jazz 2d ago
They keep running out of seats on the airplane so this would free one up
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u/youguanbumen Supersonics 2d ago
Because a team can only have so many players who need the ball to be effective because they aren’t great three-point shooters
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u/commandrr Suns 2d ago
it would be pretty cool for Russ and KD to reunite on the suns, and we need a backup PG. I'd prefer Kris Dunn but Utah says they want to keep him and can offer him more than what we can so gotta have a backup plan.
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u/sir_alvarex [OKC] Russell Westbrook 2d ago
Suns make the most sense. Russ right now is a bargain starting PG who can at least floor raise soke still. You'll have issues in the playoffs, but that's where Booker, KD and Beals shooting come in.
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u/sbenfsonwFFiF 2d ago
How are they gonna start Russ, Booker, Beal, KD?
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u/CIark 2d ago
Good. LakersClippers have been holding Russ back, just wait til he gets to his new team and gets his joy back
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u/JoJonesy Celtics 2d ago
i mean he was a hell of a lot better for the Clippers than he was on the Lakers
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u/mas1108 Lakers 2d ago
Was also making a helluva lot less money with the clippers
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u/Pikminious_Thrious Lakers 2d ago
The word "helluva" has been ruined for me. I imagine Darvin Ham saying it
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u/Kobe_stan_ Lakers 2d ago
Ehh- Dude averaged 11.1 pts/5 rbs/4.5 assist in 22.5 minutes, shooting 45% from the field and 27% from 3 on the Clippers this season. A little better efficiency on less attempts seems about the same. He shot better from 3 on the Lakers by a bit.
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u/Sheyk_Y_Y Germany 2d ago
Yeah but that playoff series against the Suns alone was insane
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u/sbenfsonwFFiF 2d ago
First option Russ, stats looks good, chance of winning is non existent
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u/Expensive-Handle454 Thunder 2d ago
Bro if u think that clips team had any chance w no kawhi and pg ur just a hater im sorry. The fact they even got close is an achievement
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u/Kobe_stan_ Lakers 2d ago
They had no chance, but put Russ as the first option on any team in the league and that team is not winning more than 30 games. He's not the player he was.
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u/Kashmir33 [NBA] LeBron James 2d ago
For like 10 games when he first joined them. Last season he really wasn't. He just didn't have that huge contract holding the team back.
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u/Dj3garrett 2d ago
How? This whole narrative that the Lakers killed his spirit is crazy. He was the exact same player. He just made a lot less and for some reason the media loves to blame the Lakers for everything.
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u/Zeratzul Lakers 2d ago
Having LBJ AD and Russ on the court is not a recipe for 3 point success, go figure
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u/masterstriker321 [OKC] Andre Roberson 2d ago
they literally played him as a 3 and D in the playoffs..
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u/the_iceman_cometh Cavaliers 2d ago
Would be interesting to see him go to the Spurs. They need a PG. Stealth tank move since he won't really help them win. Competitive fire could mesh well with Wemby. Despite his weirdness, teams usually report him being a good locker room presence.
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u/sbenfsonwFFiF 2d ago
This would actually work until they’re expected to win
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u/the_iceman_cometh Cavaliers 2d ago
Thats why I said stealth tank move. Give him a bloated two year contract like Bruce Brown last year. Let him run the floor and hype up Wemby and cost the team games down the stretch.
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u/LonelyTexan96 Spurs 2d ago
I would not mind that at all
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u/topofthecc Thunder 2d ago
Probably would be able to feed Wemby some buckets in spurts, but I think his gas light has been on for a while and his engine has started to sputter.
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u/CumAssault [SAS] Joel Anthony 2d ago
Oh no, how are they ever going to recover
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u/Niceguydan8 NBA 2d ago
He was beyond abysmal in the playoffs and every team is going to do exactly what they did to the Clippers for whatever team he joins if he sees real minutes
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u/syllabic Knicks 2d ago
yea but problem is he vastly overestimates his own ability and takes shots that he really shouldn't be taking
if he would just stick to being a hustle and energy guy he'd be good, get lots of offensive rebounds
but he seems incapable of not shooting the ball, even when the other team wants him to do it
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u/Wembantonio Spurs 2d ago
What contender can even use him for the role he probably wants?
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u/ayeno 2d ago
Maybe he isn’t looking for a contender? Or maybe he goes back to OKC and backs up SGA in a role with guaranteed minutes?
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u/MichiganMainer Pistons 2d ago
We love athletic non-shooters. Russ, come on down to Detroit!
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u/digitalme Clippers 2d ago
I really loved having him on the clippers overall, but man, that dallas series was just an awful time to shit the bed. I still love the guy and will root for him wherever he ends up. Good luck Brodie!
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u/JimmyV34 Clippers 2d ago
I dont have to deal with russ stans anymore
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u/LeFxckYouThree Lakers 2d ago
Happy for you brother
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u/JimmyV34 Clippers 2d ago
I finally understand how it feels to be free from his stans
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u/LeFxckYouThree Lakers 2d ago
Okc fans always bitching about how we treated him badly, if they want him so bad then sign him lmao
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u/Standard-Inflation10 Clippers 2d ago
Every thread after a loss people saying we lost because russ came off the bench lol
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u/Diferia Suns 2d ago edited 2d ago
Would easily take him on the suns for the vet min. Played with beal/KD before, book loves him, can pass and defend, we need a leader and a pg cant honestly think of a better fit.
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u/sbenfsonwFFiF 2d ago
I know you probably meant can but “cant pass and defend” is too funny
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u/Pikminious_Thrious Lakers 2d ago
Come back to the Lakers so Bronny can play with his favorite player and his dad.
Complete the Make A Wish team
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u/texas2089 Mavericks 2d ago
Imagine if he signs with Detroit. Him and THJ will build the Pistons an entire new arena with all those bricks.
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u/Niceguydan8 NBA 2d ago edited 2d ago
They likely told him he doesn't have a real role on the team
There's no way he was going back to the Clippers after that disasterclass playoff showing from him.
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u/Standard-Inflation10 Clippers 2d ago
Nobody remembers how OKC traded prime westbrok for old CP3 and the team instantly became a million times better.
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u/Band_ Raptors 2d ago
Serious question does any team have any use for Russ?
He’s not young and not a winning player. Which team would want him
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u/bleh610 Spurs 2d ago
Westbrook and CP3 just need to retire, man. They both had a great run but it's over.
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u/IMovedYourCheese Warriors 2d ago
CP3 has a pretty high chance of getting $30M next year. Why on earth will he retire?
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u/A_Dire_Wolf Nets 2d ago
The Nets already have Cam Thomas the Tank Engine, we can spot you a railcar Russ. All aboard!
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u/thy_armageddon Knicks 2d ago
Clippers signing Chris Paul to assure they don’t get a ring next season.