Russell Westbrook attends the World Premiere of Sony Pictures Animation’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” at Regency Village Theatre on May 30, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic )
*Former Los Angeles Lakers player Russell Westbrook has accepted the biggest pay cut in league history to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers after joining the team last season.
According to SB Nation, Westbrook re-signed with the Clippers for a reported two-year, $7.9 million deal. In 2022, he took home $47 million in salary. He surpasses Blake Griffin’s $30 million pay cut from a few years ago.
Sports fans are reacting to the so-called “pay cut” on social media, with one person writing “How is a brand new contract a pay cut?”
Another Twitter user added, “Smartest move he could have made. He fit in with the Clippers. He can play more freely with better players around him.”
A third noted, “Not a paycut. This is the most he can get right now. The fact that he got a job is already a big deal.”
FYI
Russell Westbrook will go from a salary of $47 million last season to roughly $4 million this year.
That’s easily the biggest paycut in NBA history, beating the previous record by Blake Griffin.
Not that Russ is hurting for money, though. (Career earnings: $339 million).
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) July 2, 2023
Earlier this year, the Lakers traded Westbrook and Patrick Beverley and both said they wanted championship rings if the team won the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
Beverley recounted a conversation he had with Westbrook when he ran into him at the gym, Black Enterprise reported in May. He recalled, “Russy goes, ‘Hey, Pat. Lakers win, I want my ring.”
Beverley said he responded: “I ain’t gonna lie, Russ. We’re going to be suited and booted, boy. I’m going to be right there, waiting on that ring.”
TNT’s sports reporter Chris Haynes was informed by the Lakers that if the team won, they will give everyone on the roster a championship ring, regardless of their status on the team, SI.com reported. Denver ultimately won the NBA Playoffs in June.
READ MORE: Kwame Brown Calls Out Russell Westbrook for Wearing Skirt During New York Fashion Week [WATCH]
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