Once he’s officially traded to the Jazz in the three-team deal that also involves the Lakers and Timberwolves, Russell Westbrook is expected to be bought out. Since his cap hit is far too sizable to make a waiver claim realistic, that means he’ll hit free agency and have the ability to sign with any team (except the Lakers).
If and when that happens, Westbrook would have interest in joining the Clippers or the Heat, a league source tells Law Murray of The Athletic.
The Clippers were said on Wednesday to have interest in Westbrook, so there could be a fit there depending on what Los Angeles does with its point guard spot at today’s trade deadline.
As for the Heat, their level of interest in signing Westbrook is unclear. Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald (Twitter link) notes that Westbrook’s subpar outside shooting wouldn’t mesh well with the current group, while Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel (Twitter link) says the former MVP would be a “very big personality” to add to the mix during the season.
According to Winderman, the Heat’s level of interest in Westbrook may hinge on what happens with Kyle Lowry — Miami’s veteran point guard is a candidate to be moved today and is dealing with a nagging knee injury.
While three-point shooting (29.6%) and turnovers (3.5 per game) continued to be an issue for Westbrook this season in Los Angeles, he’s still a talented scorer and play-maker, with the ability to get into the paint. He averaged 15.9 PPG, 7.5 APG, and 6.2 RPG in 52 gams (28.7 MPG) as the Lakers’ sixth man.
I’m sure those fan bases are doing backflips
Getting him for basically the minimum and being able to Jettison him into oncoming traffic after a road game and everyone would just look the other way if he becomes “too much” is exactly what teams like Clippers Heat and …… Raptors need
Especially with his ability to do multiple things. Toronto loves fast breaks, but also you need to clamp down on D. I haven’t seen enough of him this year to say he’s not a pylon but that’s my understanding of his Defense from the previous years. Even during his MVP runs
Closer to pylon than DPOY but i see your point. Clips snagged Bones from Denver so I’d guess they’re out. Toronto needs to fire sell in the next couple hours and get some fresh talent on board. Miami is interesting especially if he’s reasonable with his asking price but something tells me the culture in Miami is not one Russ would adapt too easily. 30 games to get adjusted and locked in for a playoff/play in push? May not be worth the drama
Please take some time to be honest with yourself & examine why you hate Russ so much
I don’t hate him. Think he’s still a guy who can help a team and has phenomenal talent. But as for the hate, could it be that he projects an aura of selfishness wherever he goes?
Bulls
Clippers take too many ill-advised shots as shown in last night’s game. Adding Westbrook would not help, nor would it help their loose turnovers. He may be better suited in Miami
Ah yes wall and Westbrook at it again just like last season trade rumors.
Either team would be a perfect fit for Russ. I’m thinking it’s gonna be LAC tho… Wall back home to Charlotte to back up Melo would be a perfect move all around, especially if Rozier gets traded today
It will be interesting who he signs with. Washington would be a good place for him. He did well there.
If Wall or other Clips guards shake loose in a trade, you know what’s coming. I’d expect Westbrook in L.A. he’s older, and he doesn’t have to physically move anywhere. Convenient
I know it’s being reported as a done deal, but why would Westbrook agree to be bought out while giving back anything significantly more than the minimum he would get from any other team? That was his last major contract.
Russ is a gamer. Being told to watch Clarkson, and Sexton would not be up his alley if he has other options, and it only cost 1, or maybe 2 million. I’d care about $5,000, but I think Russ likes, and wants to play
I wouldn’t expect him to give back any more than he’ll get from his new team.
Miami get Kelly olynky to help bam out
Don’t see the Jazz having much wisdom for this whole trade. One draft pick for decent players, plus paying Westbrook, put him in lineup.