Russell Westbrook picks up player option with Clippers

Clippers guard Russell Westbrook drives to the basket during the first half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz in Los Angeles, Friday, April 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Russell Westbrook has picked up his player option for $4 million and is expected to return to the Clippers next season.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN was the first to report it Saturday.

The nine-time All-Star point guard averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists off the bench last season. Although he shot 45.4% from the field, Westbrook hit just 27.3% from three-point range, his lowest since the 2019-20 season when he was with the Houston Rockets.

The former league MVP fractured his left hand in a game against the Washington Wizards on March 2 and needed surgery, sidelining him for 12 games.

Westbrook started 11 games this past season but lost his starting role after the Clippers acquired James Harden in a late-night trade on Oct. 31. He reportedly asked to move to the bench.

Meanwhile, forward Paul George has until 2 p.m. today to let the Clippers know of his future plans. He has a $48.7-million player option on his contract.