Tyronn Lue plans to return next season as the Clippers’ head coach and he hopes to have Russell Westbrook with him, writes Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.
Lue addressed two of L.A.’s biggest offseason questions after his team was knocked out of the playoffs Tuesday night in Phoenix. There have been whispers that he might consider resigning if the Clippers suffered an early exit, but he showed no uncertainty after Game 5 about his plans for 2023/24.
Youngmisuk notes that this has been a particularly difficult season for Lue because of the frequent unavailability of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George due to injuries and load management. L.A. was considered one of the favorites in the West last fall, but had to go on a hot streak late in the season to finish at 44-38 and avoid the play-in tournament.
Leonard played just 52 games in his first season back from a partially torn ACL and was only available for two games in the playoff series. George played 56 games during the regular season, but he suffered a sprained knee in March that forced him to miss the playoffs entirely. Youngmisuk points out that the Clippers were 24-14 in the 38 games that Leonard and George played together.
“I think the encouraging thing, with PG and Kawhi healthy, we haven’t lost a series yet,” Lue said. “It’s always in the back of your mind, ‘What if.’ It’s easy to say, ‘What if,’ because a lot of guys get hurt. It’s just been our luck the last three years.”
“If you look back to my first year taking over, we did some really good things. Kawhi tears his ACL then he misses the whole next season. … I think just taking some time and let our coaches get a break, let everybody get a break, reflect on the season, come back and just try to be better than we were this year.”
One of the reasons the Clippers were able to salvage their season was the unlikely comeback by Westbrook, who became a pariah with the cross-town Lakers before being traded to Utah in February. Leonard, George and other veterans lobbied the front office to sign Westbrook after his buyout, and he turned in several vintage performances late in the season and in the playoffs.
Westbrook signed a veteran’s minimum contract for the rest of the season and will be a free agent again this summer. As ESPN’s Bobby Marks notes, the best offer the Clippers can make to Westbrook under the new collective bargaining agreement is $3.8MM using the Non-Bird exception.
After Tuesday’s loss, Westbrook said he has enjoyed his time with the Clippers and is grateful to the organization for giving him a chance to revive his career.
“One thing I do tell you is that I love it here,” he said. “I love the people, just the fans overall embracing not just me but my family and close friends. I know a lot of things have happened (this season), but I’m grateful. I definitely love being here. As far as making a decision, I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. I don’t really know my process because it’s kind of my first time doing this. So we’ll see what happens.”
I hope Westbrook does play another season. I think if gets offered 3.8 from Clippers ge should take it. Maybe the Wizards will give him a look too. But I don’t see many others wanting him.
Agreed. Westbrook still has lots of gas in the tank to continue playing. He is a pro!
real value of WestBrook
2-year $50 million
current market value of Westbrook
ball park of $5 million
Likely result: he signs Vet Min this summer
Westbrook only changed lockerrooms but his comments sound as if he literally went to a different city.
FIRE LUE!
I’m jk its all cuz of injuries
All the Westbrook haters love the man now, outrageous.
Westbrook will have a job but its going to be a huge pay cut to mid level money.
…how is veterans minimum to MLE a pay cut?
Arc is talking about how his contract this year before getting released was 44 mil.
In what world did anyone think Westbrook would sign another huge contract in FA? Feels like a dig at him/goes without saying
Westbrook. A dig would be him going overseas to play. Look at how many older players want more than minimum so they hold out.
They still lost because of Westbrook last night. 3/18 shooting and costly turnover. He still had his moments in the series and that was admirable because of everything he had to deal with this year. Instead of pouting, he played hard and enjoyed competing.
There no reason to fire Lue. The move is to trade PG. He’s one of the most talented players in the league but his IQ isnt great and he is too passive for his talents. I would look to move him to the east for a younger, might be able to get Philly to bite on a PG for Maxey trade
Harris and Maxey for PG? Let’s talk.
Yea, that would work. Numbers work out perfect
Lol, no thanks! Maxey stays put
Mad max is about to get extended in Philly sooooo noooooo way to your ridiculous and not to well thought out trade proposal .
Time to get rid of the players who cost a lot of money and aren’t there when you need them to earn that money.
Neither Lue or Westbrook matter on this Clippers team… If either of the 2 stars are out the team is out…