Russell Westbrook plans to signal with LA Clippers, agent says

After finishing a contract buyout, nine-time All-Star guard Russell Westbrook plans to signal with the LA Clippers, his agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports, informed ESPN.

Once Westbrook and the Utah Jazz full the buyout on the remaining $47 million owed on his expiring deal, the previous NBA MVP will clear waivers and return to Los Angeles — this time with the Clippers.

The Clippers grew to become more and more with Westbrook as crew officers, together with coach Ty Lue and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, dug right into a sequence of conversations with Westbrook, sources mentioned. Those discussions centered on Westbrook’s willingness to suit into a transparent and particular position with the Clippers constructed round his playmaking, rebounding and toughness, sources mentioned.

Westbrook, 34, joins a Clippers core that has championship aspirations and consists of his former Thunder teammate Paul George.

Westbrook had mentioned offers with the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards and Miami Heat in current days, however the likelihood to compete for a championship and stay in Los Angeles performed a big half in his choice to decide on the Clippers, sources mentioned.

The Los Angeles Lakers traded Westbrook and a 2027 first-round draft decide to the Jazz as a part of a three-team deal on Wednesday. After a tumultuous season-plus with the Lakers, Westbrook took time to decompress and contemplate his prospects. Westbrook embraced a sixth-man position for the Lakers, averaging 15.9 factors, 6.2 rebounds and seven.5 assists in 28.7 minutes per recreation.

Jazz CEO Danny Ainge, GM Justin Zanik and coach Will Hardy informed Westbrook on Friday that they’d welcome him reporting to the crew, however the group was prioritizing and enjoying its youthful gamers and they might make no assurances on minutes or position measurement, sources mentioned.