Russell Westbrook is on his way out of Los Angeles and is headed to … the Utah Jazz.
Yes, the same Jazz who appear to be tanking after the blockbuster deal that sent Mike Conley to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley to the Lakers.
So the immediate conclusion everyone made was: There’s probably no way the Jazz hang on to Westbrook. They could buy him out and pave the way for him to join a team he’d like to sign with.
And that brings us to a few pretty good options for the veteran star point guard who struggled to fit in with the Lakers:
1
Los Angeles Clippers
The obvious choice. They need a point guard, desperately. And the fit on the team is pretty ideal:
Should Russell Westbrook secure a buyout from the Utah Jazz after the three-team trade is complete, the Los Angeles Clippers are said to have interest in the star guard, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 9, 2023
The ideal Russell Westbrook buyout destination would have…
– Great shooting to maximize his drives.
– A coach with the cache to get him to buy into a smaller role (10-15 mins).
– Deep defensive roster since he doesn't really guard anyone.To me, that sounds like the Clippers.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) February 8, 2023
For a contender like the Clips, this would work.
2
Miami Heat
Assuming they move Kyle Lowry — and there’s A LOT of chatter about that happening — this is a pretty good option too.
The Heat have shooters and tough defenders who can switch. Westbrook could have the room to maneuver and dish to a team that could use the help at the point.
3
Washington Wizards
Hey, this worked pretty well the last time Westbrook was a Wizard!
The Wizards could make a run to the play-in with him, Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis. Given that the team is still stuck in the middle of the NBA pack — never the best spot when you either want to be really good or really bad — they might as well pick up the phone.
westbrook coming back to the wizards would make so much sense
— ☄️✨𝖜𝖎𝖟𝖆𝖗𝖉𝖘𝖊𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖘✨☄️ trade bradley beal (@wizardseries) February 7, 2023
4
Chicago Bulls
No, really, they’re interested!
The Chicago Bulls are interested in signing Russell Westbrook should he secure a buyout with the Utah Jazz, per @ChrisBHaynes pic.twitter.com/7Nd3fzLfp7
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 9, 2023
Another team that could use the help if they want in on the play-in or playoffs. It feels crowded to me with Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan on the roster, but if this is an option for a few months … why not?
5
Brooklyn Nets*
As much as I’d like to see this reunion above, the asterisk is there for a reason: Maybe Brooklyn would be interested if the Nets shock everyone and trade KD.
