Russell Westbrook’s joining the Clippers and fans wondered about the potential with Paul George

After a couple of weeks of speculation following his trade from the Los Angeles Lakers, we know where Russell Westbrook will spend what’s left of the 2022 NBA season. He’s not going far. He’s heading back to Los Angeles… this time to play with the Clippers.

As reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Utah Jazz have finalized a buyout of Westbrook’s formerly massive contract worth $200 million. Now an official free agent, the 34-year-old guard — perhaps unsurprisingly — will return to L.A. to play with his old Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Paul George.

From an initial glance, it seems like a low-risk, high-reward move for the Clippers. It’s probably banking on a reconnection of friendship between Westbrook and George (with Kawhi Leonard in the mix this time around):

News of Westbrook’s Clipper addition follows George recently stating he’d love to see his friend with a title someday (outside of himself, of course):

How convenient!

As some have insinuated, what happened during Westbrook’s tenure wasn’t harmonious for many involved, but it probably wasn’t his fault. Getting the chance to play with an old friend like George in a potentially healthier situation might be exactly what Westbrook needs to rekindle the latest phase of his career.

It’ll likely take a lot of work on the part of Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, but fitting Westbrook in doesn’t seem like the worst idea.