5 upcoming free agents playing for a new deal in the NBA Playoffs

2. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook is going to continue to be one of the most controversial players in the NBA today until the day he retires. A nine-time All-NBA, MVP-winning player hitting the open market is something you do not see every day.

Westbrook has been viewed as a negative asset by teams across the league ever since he signed his maximum contract back in 2017. Since then, he has played for five different franchises. He is a ball-dominant guard with an inconsistent jump shot.

However, the passion he plays with on the court and his love for the game is abundantly clear. The league-wide respect he receives from his peers is also something to take note of. While media outlets continue to bash Westbrook, players and coaches alike rave about the teammate and man he is both on and off the court.

Less than two years ago, the Lakers attempted to pair Russell Westbrook with LeBron James and Anthony Davis hoping to create a big three that could compete for a championship. The team quickly abandoned that strategy and decided to trade Westbrook to the Jazz this past trade deadline, who later waived him via a buyout.

Utah chose to leave behind over $45 million in dead cap space to move on from the likes of Westbrook. That didn’t discourage the Clippers from signing him for the rest of the season, who were questioned heavily about his fit and contribution to team success.

Russell Westbrook has reminded everyone why he is on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. His tenacity and playmaking have provided a huge boost to the Clippers since he arrived, especially since Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have been dealing with injuries.

Since joining the Clippers, he is averaging 15.8 points per game to go along with 4.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists. He’s stepped his game up even further in the postseason so far to try and give the Clippers a chance against the Suns despite missing Paul George for the series and Kawhi Leonard for two games.

Through four postseason games, he is averaging 26 points per game to go with 7.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists. The Clippers trail the Suns 3-1 in the series and are on the brink of elimination.

Now that he is not being paid a maximum contract, does that change how teams will perceive Russell Westbrook? Will the Clippers or any team want to sign him at 35 years old? Whatever the answers to those questions may be, it has been a helluva ride for the future Hall of Famer.