Nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook has agreed to join the Los Angeles Clippers for the remainder of the season after securing a contract buyout with the Utah Jazz, first reported by Adrian Wojnarowkski of ESPN.
Westbrook ended up in Utah along with Damian Jones, Juan Toscano-Anderson, and draft compensation as a part of a three-team trade at the deadline which saw D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt sent to the Lakers with Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to Minnesota.
Whilst Utah’s front office made it clear that they welcome Westbrook reporting to the team, they made no guarantee of minutes or role.
It marked the fourth time he had been traded since mid-2019.
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With the Lakers this season, Westbrook was relegated to a bench role for the first time since his rookie year after an unsuccessful 2021-22 season.
The 34-year-old averaged 15.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 7.5 apg in 52 games with the Lakers this season.
His 49.6 TS% is currently the fourth-worst mark of all qualifying players in the league whilst he is second in the league in turnovers per 100 possessions.
The league’s MVP in 2017, Westbrook is still a superb finisher and playmaker – two key areas of need for the Clippers – as well as a rebounder but, for him to earn consistent minutes when it matters most, it will be important for him to make strides as a cutter, screener, and defender.
Former Thunder teammate Paul George publicly recruited Westbrook last week at a media session and gets his wish of reuniting with his former teammate.
The Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, and Washington Wizards also made attempts at signing Westbrook.
With Terance Mann, Bones Hyland, Eric Gordon and Norman Powell all on deck, Westbrook will need to compete for backcourt minutes under head coach Ty Lue.
The Clippers are currently 33-28 – the fourth-best mark in the Western Conference.
This Clippers stop firms as a decisive one in the twilight of Westbrook’s Hall of Fame career after an unceremonious exit from the Lakers.
