UTAH JAZZ
Russell Westbrook Reaches Buyout With Jazz, Plans To Sign With Clippers
SALT LAKE CITY – Former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook plans to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers after reaching a buyout with the Utah Jazz, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Jazz officially waived Westbrook a few hours after the NBA insider reported the buyout and the guard’s future intentions on Monday, February 20.
We have waived guard Russell Westbrook.https://t.co/VT9h5ocrtq#TakeNote
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 20, 2023
“After finalizing a contract buyout with the Utah Jazz, nine-time All-Star guard Russell Westbrook plans to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, his agent Jeff Schwartz of @excelbasketball tells ESPN,” Wojnarowski tweeted.
After finalizing a contract buyout with the Utah Jazz, nine-time All-Star guard Russell Westbrook plans to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, his agent Jeff Schwartz of @excelbasketball tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/OjZ0Mkuz5x
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 20, 2023
Utah acquired Westbrook from the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a three-team deal involving Mike Conley prior to the NBA trade deadline. Since then, the Jazz had given Westbrook permission to seek an opportunity with another organization or remain with the Jazz for the rest of the season.
Previously, Wojnarowski had reported that Westbrook was in communication with the Clippers, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, and Miami Heat.
Following the trade, Jazz general manager Justin Zanik said the team didn’t have any definitive plans for Westbrook but that the high-profile guard was open to playing for Utah.
“He’s been great,” Jazz general manager Justin Zanik said of Westbrook following the trade to acquire him from the Lakers. “He’s been great to talk to, he’s such a professional and actually very complimentary of the Jazz and the organization.”
Westbrook had been a strong candidate to be bought out by the Jazz, which would him to sign with another team looking to make a run to the playoffs. In order to play in the postseason for another team, Westbrook needed to be waived by the Jazz before March 1.
Shortly after Westbrook was sent to the Jazz, Clippers star and former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate of Westbrook, Paul George, voiced his desire to play with the former NBA MVP again.
RELATED: Paging Russell Westbrook: Paul George Says Come To L.A. Clippers
ESPN story on Russell Westbrook committing to sign with the Clippers: https://t.co/ynhsDDCoTg
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 20, 2023
This season, Westbrook is averaging 15.9 points per game. Westbrook’s scoring output is coming off the bench but it’s also the lowest average since his rookie campaign in 2008-09.
The former UCLA standout was selected as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. In 2017, Westbrook won the league’s MVP award. During his career, the nine-time NBA All-Star has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Lakers.
