On Monday, February 20, it was announced that Russell Westbrook would be signing with the Los Angeles Clippers after having finalized a contract buyout with the Utah Jazz. Westbrook, who is a nine-time NBA All-Star and was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2017, was traded to Utah as part of the three-team deal that sent D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt to the Los Angeles Lakers, while the Minnesota Timberwolves landed Mike Conley Jr. and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
How Westbrook signing impacts Clippers title odds
In theory, adding a player with Westbrook’s pedigree should be a boost for any NBA franchise — especially one that is chasing a title. However, Westbrook’s on-court production no longer comes close to carrying the same weight as his name. In fact, even though the Clippers brought in a two-time All-NBA First Team point guard, the team’s championship odds didn’t move. DraftKings Sportsbook had Los Angeles at +900 to win the 2022-23 NBA title before the signing, and the team is still listed at +900 after news of the move trickled out.
Clippers' title odds since the Russell Westbrook news ??
Yesterday: +900 Current: +900 pic.twitter.com/M8dQKnCf71— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) February 20, 2023
Should you bet on the Clippers to win the NBA title?
Westbrook’s season averages of 15.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game sound solid when you take them at face value. But the 34-year-old is shooting just 41.7 percent from the field, 29.6 percent from behind the three-point line and 65.5 percent from the charity stripe. Those are concerning numbers for a guard, and that’s especially true of one that will be playing alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. That Clippers duo is arguably the best wing tandem in the entire league, and opposing teams generally do everything they can to stop those two from beating them. With Westbrook’s inability to make open jumpers, it might be a little easier for opponents to defend Los Angeles. They'll simply dare him to take outside shots.