The 2017’s NBA MVP Russell Westbrook will remain in Los Angeles. According to his agent Jeff Schwartz, Westbrook intends to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers after finalizing his contract buyout with the Utah Jazz.
Westbrook started the 2022-23 campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers but ended up being traded to the Jazz ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Westbrook joined the Lakers in the summer of 2021, looking to team up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in an attempt to compete for an NBA title. But the move turned out to be disastrous for all sides involved, as the Lakers underperformed in 2021-22, and Westbrook ended up shouldering the majority of the blame for the team’s bad performances.
Entering the 2022-23 season, Westbrook made the biggest adjustment of his career and moved to the bench in hopes of resolving some of the concerns surrounding his fit with James and Davis. But despite being productive in his new role, averaging 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game, Westbrook was still shipped out to Jazz as the Lakers looked to create a more balanced roster.
The Jazz never intended to have Russell Westbrook suit up for them, giving the player permission to talk with other teams and see if there is a destination for him in case of the buyout. Westbrook considered the Washington Wizards and the Chicago Bulls, among other teams but eventually settled on the Clippers. By staying in LA, he will have a chance to be part of a championship contender while reuniting with his former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Paul George.
Westbrook has nine All-Star nods and nine All-NBA honors since entering the league as a fourth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. He averaged a triple-double in four of his 15 seasons as a pro and has the most triple-doubles in the history of the league.
