Russell Westbrook has not suited up for the Utah Jazz since joining the team at the trade deadline. While he is yet to reach a buyout with the team, the 2016-2017 NBA MVP has received permission to speak with four teams, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Speaking on NBA Countdown, Wojnarowski stated:
“I’m told that Russell Westbrook has permission from the Jazz to go out and explore with potential buyout teams, a role elsewhere that might fit and so he has been spending this week doing that. Among the teams that they’ve communicated with – the Bulls, the Clippers, the Wizards, the Miami Heat.
“I think a lot of this is just getting a sense – both the teams with Russell Westbrook and Westbrook with those teams – about what a potential fit might look like, what a role might look like.”
Wojnarowski added that most of the teams have a history with the nine-time All-Star. Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan coached Westbrook for four seasons on the Oklahoma City Thunder, two of which he was teammates with LA Clippers star Paul George. Westbrook spent the 2020-2021 season as a member of the Washington Wizards prior to being traded to the LA Lakers.
Check out Adrian Wojnarowski’s full comments below:
Shams Charania says Russell Westbrook’s market is moving slowly
It is unclear what the next step in Westbrook’s career will be as a buyout with the Utah Jazz is yet to occur. Speaking on FanDuel TV, Shams Charania of The Athletic shared that may be due to a market that has not developed, stating:
“When you look at teams around the league, there is not a spot yet for Russell Westbrook… I would expect him to take the next week or so to figure out whether he can find a home somewhere else.
“I do believe that if he had a home by now, the Jazz would have bought him out and allowed him to go seek another team, but right now, it’s a slow moving market and we’ll see if Russell Westbrook will be able to find a home.”
While it may not be his first choice, Westbrook’s best option may be to remain with the Utah Jazz, where he would likely be able to have the ball more often. Although he would not be competing for a title in Utah, Westbrook would likely be able to rebuild some of his value ahead of free agency this summer.
Check out Shams Charania’s full comments below:
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