The Los Angeles Lakers traded Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team trade on Feb. 9. It was expected that the Jazz would buy out the rest of Westbrook’s contract, allowing him to sign with a contending team. However, Westbrook has now told the front office that he is going to consider playing for the Jazz, but this would be surprising. What city will Russell Westbrook next call home?
Los Angeles Clippers
Almost immediately after the trade, Clippers players Paul George and Marcus Morris began trying to recruit Westbrook. George said that adding Westbrook would improve the team, and “hopefully Russell sees this and we figure something out.” Paul George played alongside Russell Westbrook for two years as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, including the 2018-19 NBA season, when he was an MVP candidate averaging a career-high 28.0 points per game. “I think we in particular got enough shooting to surround Russ where Russ can be Russ,” George said.
Chicago Bulls
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, if Westbrook is bought out by the Jazz, the Chicago Bulls would be “a frontrunner” to sign him. Westbrook formerly played for Bulls coach Billy Donovan on the Thunder. Due to Lonzo Ball‘s knee injury, the Bulls have struggled to find a starting-caliber point guard this season. Westbrook would likely be able to start in Chicago. However, the downside is that they are not true contenders. The Bulls sit as the tenth seed in the East, with just a 26-30 record. They are only two games behind the eight-seeded Hawks though, meaning that signing Westbrook may be enough to propel them into the playoffs.
Miami Heat
Similarly to the Bulls, the Heat have been heavily linked to Westbrook, this time by Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes. The Heat have a better record than the Bulls, as their 32-25 record places them as the sixth seed in the East. Westbrook may not start over Kyle Lowry but could be a valuable sixth man to add depth to the Miami rotation. After the Heat did next to nothing at the trade deadline, it would make sense for them to make some sort of move to improve their team before the playoffs start. Signing Westbrook is that move.
Utah Jazz
Westbrook, meanwhile, has a choice to not be bought out. He recently told the Jazz that he would consider staying with the team. The Jazz are unable to offer him consistent playing time and are also only the 11th seed in the West. For these reasons, it is expected that Westbrook will choose to be bought out so he can select a team. However, he does seem to have an interest in staying a member of the franchise. The Jazz are willing to keep him if he wants, so the team that Russell Westbrook will play on next depends entirely on his own choice.
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