Clippers sign Mason Plumlee to 1-year deal

Center Mason Plumlee is returning to the Clippers on a one-year deal for $5 million, despite receiving better financial offers from other teams. He was traded to the Clippers from the Charlotte Hornets at the deadline last season, serving as back-up to starter Ivica Zubac.

The 7-foot center, a strong rim protector, averaged 7.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 28 games (four starts) last season and is expected to resume his role off the bench.

After his first game in a Clippers uniform, Plumlee said that the thing he looked most forward to playing for the Clippers was “the opportunity to play for a championship. That’s it for me. That’s what I’m most excited about.”

The Clippers finished as the fifth seeded team in the Western Conference last season but were eliminated in the first round by the Phoenix Suns.

Plumlee is the only Clippers free agent with Bird rights; an alternate option would have been signing for the minimum since the team doesn’t have a mid-level exception.

On Saturday, the Clippers’ other free agent, point guard Russell Westbrook, agreed on a new two-year, $7.8 million deal to stay in Los Angeles. The contract includes a player option for the upcoming season.

Westbrook reportedly took one of the steepest pay cuts in NBA history to remain with the Clippers. He earned more than $47 million last season.

The Clippers continue to be in the conversation for guard James Harden, who requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers.