26. Russell Westbrook, LA Clippers
With how his season began with the Los Angeles Lakers last year, I’m not sure how we’re about to enter a new campaign with Russell Westbrook being a projected starting point guard once again. Nevertheless, the Russ experiment may not have worked with the Lakers but it’s clear the Clippers saw something in him over the last few games of last season. He was re-signed and, at least for now, is penciled in to be the starter for LA.
Some of that can change if the Clippers do move forward with acquiring James Harden but at least for now, Russ is entering training camp as the lead guard for a talented Clippers team. For as “bad” as he was with the Lakers to start last season, Russ closed the season with respectable numbers during his short stint with the Clippers.
In 21 games played for the Clippers, Westbrook averaged 16 points, eight assists, and five rebounds per game. He was also quite efficient, shooting 49 percent shooting from the field overall and 36 percent shooting from deep. If he can post those types of numbers again this season, he’ll be a huge contributor to the Clippers. I’m not sold on those shooting numbers, though. Maybe I’m wrong?