Russell Westbrook

The former Kia MVP was traded to the Jazz from the Los Angeles Lakers before the 2023 trade deadline. Westbrook is averaging 15.9 points, 7.5 assists and 6.2 ...

After finalizing a contract buyout with the Utah Jazz, nine-time All-Star guard Russell Westbrook plans to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, his agent Jeff Schwartz of The former Kia MVP was traded to the Jazz from the Los Angeles Lakers before the 2023 trade deadline. Russell Westbrook plans to return to Los Angeles and sign with the LA Clippers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Former Lakers and current Jazz point guard Russell Westbrook plans to sign with the Clippers after he clears waivers following a contract buyout.

But it’s just like — when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands, it’s like a different dynamic, he can’t be as effective. 10, said he believed Westbrook had been blamed for too large a share of the Lakers’ struggles during his season-and-half with the franchise, one that began with fanfare in the summer of 2021 but often turned combative or ineffective. “He just said, ‘If I can get to the Lakers, that’d be something I would love to do. Starters George — who authored the best statistical season of his career next to Westbrook in Oklahoma City in 2018-19 — and Marcus Morris Sr. And when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands, it’s a different dynamic for him.” “I know that’s my game, spacing the floor for being a shooter on the perimeter and then just running with him in transition — I think that’s what we can complement him [with]. The Clippers will be Westbrook’s fourth team in the last five seasons. There had been some thought early that if the Clippers were to fill their 15th and final roster spot, a young player made the most sense, as a bet on their help in future seasons. However, they resulted in points only 43% of the time. 10, Lawrence Frank, the team’s president of basketball operations, reiterated a belief he has held publicly since last year, that the team prefers players who have certain skills, not rigid positional definitions. Westbrook spoke with Clippers leadership an estimated three to four times, not including multiple conversations the former NBA most valuable player and career triple-double leader also had with Clippers players. One Westbrook strength is a decided Clippers weakness: availability.

Westbrook and the Clippers began discussion last week on him possibly joining the L.A. team.

[NBA](https://theathletic.com/nba/) seasons with [Washington](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/wizards/) and [Houston](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/rockets/). How much the Clippers have Westbrook on the floor with one of the non-shooting centers ( [Ivica Zubac](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/ivica-zubac-OTPpn38MDEHT1u47/) and [Mason Plumlee](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/mason-plumlee-U2hHj6dKnqF8Gq2J/)) will be another factor to watch. [Bones Hyland](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/bones-hyland-QGlV1HRXs9r51UN5/) likely drops to third string. But this comes down to Lue and how he connects with Westbrook about his role, as well as Lue being able to deploy his surplus of options effectively. [Eric Gordon](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/eric-gordon-Lj7fp7oMTPR6Thay/)’s minutes will probably be reduced. But Westbrook can get to the free throw line at a high rate, is still a good playmaker, and can push the pace. [Terance Mann](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/terance-mann-5ckD9JvYcPCUx6NM/) had been starting, and Mann likely enters the second unit. Westbrook will be compared to Wall often. And if it means that George and Leonard have more juice to be efficient later in games, then the Clippers will take that. [communicated what the nine-time All-Star’s role could be](https://theathletic.com/4213385/2023/02/16/clippers-jazz-russell-westbrook-buyout/). He is not coming to be the sidekick of an MVP like he was in Houston. Westbrook — who averaged 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 52 games for the Lakers this season — has not played for the Jazz since being traded.

The Lakers traded him, along with a protected 2027 first-round draft pick and several other players, in a three-team deal with the Jazz and Minnesota ...

Those transactions left the wing-heavy Clippers without a distribution-minded guard, forcing Leonard and George to handle a significant share of the playmaking duties. [Lakers shipped him to the Utah Jazz](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/02/08/russell-westbrook-dangelo-russell-trade/?itid=lk_inline_manual_2) before the [Feb. This month, the Clippers traded two point guards, Reggie Jackson and John Wall, along with guard Luke Kennard to land center Mason Plumlee and guards Eric Gordon and Bones Hyland. The Clippers are seeking to build on their 2021 Western Conference finals appearance by claiming the first NBA title in franchise history. When the 34-year-old suits up for the Clippers, he will have played for five teams since 2019. ESPN first reported that Westbrook would join the Clippers.

El nueve veces All-Star promedió 15.9 puntos, 6.2 rebotes y 7.5 asistencias con los Lakers.

Westbrook asumió un papel de sexto hombre para los Lakers, promediando 15.9 puntos, 6.2 rebotes y 7.5 asistencias en 28.7 minutos por partido. Los Clippers se interesaron cada vez más en Westbrook cuando los integrantes del equipo, incluido el entrenador Ty Lue y el presidente de operaciones Lawrence Frank, se involucraron en una serie de conversaciones con Westbrook, añadieron las fuentes. Los Lakers cambiaron a Westbrook y una selección de primera ronda de 2027 al Jazz como parte de un acuerdo de tres equipos el miércoles pasado.

En los últimos días el jugador y su agente habían mantenido conversaciones con varias franquicias como Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat y Washington Wizards. Sin ...

Actualmente, los Clippers se ubican en el cuarto lugar de la Conferencia Oeste con 33 juegos ganados y 28 perdidos en 61 encuentros disputados. Cabe recordar que el base nacido en Long Beach debutó en la NBA en 2008 con Oklahoma City. Sin embargo, la organización californiana fue quien logró el fichaje.

Después de su salida de Los Angeles Lakers y Utah Jazz, Russell Westbrook podría formar un Big 3 con Paul George y Kawhi Leonard.

En última instancia, el fichaje de Westbrook tiene sentido como un movimiento de bajo riesgo y recompensa media. George y Leonard controlan mucho el balón en los Clippers, y de forma muy eficaz. Además, Westbrook no está dispuesto a defender, a pesar de los esfuerzos del cuerpo técnico de los Lakers por cambiar ese aspecto de su juego. La finalización de Westbrook en el aro está por debajo de la media, pero sigue tirando un 58%. Otra cosa a favor de Westbrook es que, a diferencia de los Lakers, los Clippers tienen una plétora de tiradores que pueden rodear a Westbrook para hacer su trabajo más fácil. Los Lakers querían que desempeñara un papel similar y no consiguieron que se comprometiera. Ocupan el 20º puesto en puntos por partido según las estadísticas de la NBA y un mediocre 18º en porcentaje de asistencias. Los Clippers adquirirán a Westbrook sobre todo para responder a esta pregunta: ¿Puede llegar hasta el aro, hacer que las defensas se colapsen y asistir a los tiradores? El juego de los bases de los Clippers ha sido mediocre toda la temporada. Hoy en día, su impacto DARKO se sitúa en torno a un neutro neto, similar al de Monte Morris o Gary Payton II. Según Adrian Wojarowski, de ESPN, se espera que Russell Westbrook finalice su desvinculación con Utah Jazz y firme con el equipo. Traspasaron a John Wall y Reggie Jackson en la fecha límite y parecen creer que Westbrook puede ayudar a reforzar esa posición.

Aunque se dijo que iría a Utah, seguirá en Los Angeles, solo que con los Clippers.

Hace algunos días se mencionó que iría a Utah Jazz, sin embargo, los términos no lo convencieron y él buscó por todas las formas evitar el traspaso y mantenerse en California. Uno de los problemas a los que se enfrentó con los Lakers es que no hizo labores defensivas, aún y cuando se le pidió y en Clippers podría verse con algo similar, pues si hay un equipo que defiende bien es el 'otro' equipo de Los Angeles. Aunque se dijo que iría a Utah, seguirá en Los Angeles, solo que con los Clippers

After agreeing to a buyout with the Jazz, Russell Westbrook is expected to join up with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. How will the Clippers look with that ...

The Clippers do have a pretty easy out here if the concerns about Westbrook become valid. The Clippers also acquired Bones Hyland and Eric Gordon at the deadline. Westbrook has a tendency to try and do too much on the floor. He also turns it over at a very high rate, in the bottom 11 percent of the league via Cleaning the Glass. Ultimately, the Westbrook signing does make sense as a low-risk, medium-reward move. If Westbrook is not willing to embrace a more limited role, then it could be very damaging for the team. The Lakers wanted him to fill a similar role, and they couldn't get the buy-in from him. That should be a little bit better across the hall with the Clippers. The Clippers have been 11th, at 36.0 percent. They shipped away both John Wall and Reggie Jackson at the trade deadline, and they seem to believe that Westbrook can help bolster that position. He had a horrendous fit with the Lakers. He obviously isn't the same player that he was back then.

El jugador había sido canjeado a los Utah Jazz, pero compró su contrato para poderse unir al otro conjunto angelino de la NBA.

Westbrook no ha jugado ningún partido con los Jazz. El agente de Westbrook, Jeff Schwartz, confirmó a la cadena ESPN que la operación le permitirá al base seguir viviendo en Los Ángeles. [Los Angeles Clippers](https://www.tudn.com/temas/los-angeles-clippers)

Después de su salida de Los Angeles Lakers y Utah Jazz, Russell Westbrook podría formar un Big 3 con Paul George y Kawhi Leonard.

En última instancia, el fichaje de Westbrook tiene sentido como un movimiento de bajo riesgo y recompensa media. George y Leonard controlan mucho el balón en los Clippers, y de forma muy eficaz. Además, Westbrook no está dispuesto a defender, a pesar de los esfuerzos del cuerpo técnico de los Lakers por cambiar ese aspecto de su juego. La finalización de Westbrook en el aro está por debajo de la media, pero sigue tirando un 58%. Otra cosa a favor de Westbrook es que, a diferencia de los Lakers, los Clippers tienen una plétora de tiradores que pueden rodear a Westbrook para hacer su trabajo más fácil. Los Lakers querían que desempeñara un papel similar y no consiguieron que se comprometiera. Ocupan el 20º puesto en puntos por partido según las estadísticas de la NBA y un mediocre 18º en porcentaje de asistencias. Los Clippers adquirirán a Westbrook sobre todo para responder a esta pregunta: ¿Puede llegar hasta el aro, hacer que las defensas se colapsen y asistir a los tiradores? El juego de los bases de los Clippers ha sido mediocre toda la temporada. Hoy en día, su impacto DARKO se sitúa en torno a un neutro neto, similar al de Monte Morris o Gary Payton II. Según Adrian Wojarowski, de ESPN, se espera que Russell Westbrook finalice su desvinculación con Utah Jazz y firme con el equipo. Traspasaron a John Wall y Reggie Jackson en la fecha límite y parecen creer que Westbrook puede ayudar a reforzar esa posición.

The Clippers' decision to sign Russell Westbrook is really dumb. Apparently they didn't see all the bricks and problems he had playing for the Lakers.

Most of it is the opposite of him. “You know the ball is going to be in Kawhi [Leonard] and PG’s [Paul George] hands about 60% of the time so it’s a delicate balance. [Paul George](https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2023-01-23/paul-george-point-guard-tyronn-lue), who had his best season while playing with Westbrook in Oklahoma City in 2018-19, [recently told The Times’ Andrew Greif](https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2023-02-11/los-angeles-clippers-russell-westbrook-buyout-market), unsolicited, that he wanted the two to reunite. “My instinct is to, let’s kind of let’s see what this looks like and see how this fits,” he said. Led by the frequently unavailable and often distant figure that is Leonard, they have a group of championship-type players who have never truly meshed into a potential championship-caliber team. “We need someone that won’t be played off the floor defensively, someone who can share the ball responsibilities, but not yet be so ball dominant,” he said. Lawrence Frank, the team’s basketball boss, is a shrewd guy. Steve Ballmer, the Clippers’ owner, is a smart dude. then left the arena without talking to the media, willfully skipping out on a chance to honor his teammate. The Clippers apparently had no idea. The Clippers might have somehow slept through all this, but here’s one thing they surely did not miss. The Clippers apparently didn’t.

The former NBA MVP will join several of his former teammates as the expected lead guard, playing alongside Eric Gordon, Paul George and Robert Covington.

In 52 contests with the Lakers this season, he has averaged 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. [Chicago Bulls](https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls), Washington Wizards and [Miami Heat](https://www.nbcmiami.com/tag/miami-heat/) but to ultimately play for a championship team and return to Los Angeles played a big role in his decision, according to sources. [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.nbclosangeles.com/tag/los-angeles-lakers/) to the Utah Jazz, the 34-year-old will return to the City of Angels -- this time with the [Clippers](https://www.nbclosangeles.com/tag/la-clippers/).

Después de su salida de Los Angeles Lakers y Utah Jazz, Russell Westbrook podría formar un Big 3 con Paul George y Kawhi Leonard.

En última instancia, el fichaje de Westbrook tiene sentido como un movimiento de bajo riesgo y recompensa media. George y Leonard controlan mucho el balón en los Clippers, y de forma muy eficaz. Además, Westbrook no está dispuesto a defender, a pesar de los esfuerzos del cuerpo técnico de los Lakers por cambiar ese aspecto de su juego. La finalización de Westbrook en el aro está por debajo de la media, pero sigue tirando un 58%. Otra cosa a favor de Westbrook es que, a diferencia de los Lakers, los Clippers tienen una plétora de tiradores que pueden rodear a Westbrook para hacer su trabajo más fácil. Los Lakers querían que desempeñara un papel similar y no consiguieron que se comprometiera. Ocupan el 20º puesto en puntos por partido según las estadísticas de la NBA y un mediocre 18º en porcentaje de asistencias. Los Clippers adquirirán a Westbrook sobre todo para responder a esta pregunta: ¿Puede llegar hasta el aro, hacer que las defensas se colapsen y asistir a los tiradores? El juego de los bases de los Clippers ha sido mediocre toda la temporada. Hoy en día, su impacto DARKO se sitúa en torno a un neutro neto, similar al de Monte Morris o Gary Payton II. Según Adrian Wojarowski, de ESPN, se espera que Russell Westbrook finalice su desvinculación con Utah Jazz y firme con el equipo. Traspasaron a John Wall y Reggie Jackson en la fecha límite y parecen creer que Westbrook puede ayudar a reforzar esa posición.

“The term point guard is a very, very vague term, so to me what you do is build your team around your best players and get complementary skill sets,” Frank said ...

The 34-year-old former league MVP struggled to fit in with the Lakers and drew heavy criticism. “He’s one of the greatest players that ever played the game. The Clippers are expected to sign Westbrook this week after his contract was bought out by Utah and he cleared waivers, according to his agent. He could be in uniform as soon as Friday night when the Clippers face the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena. The Clippers acquired guards “Because let’s say we had a ball-dominant point guard who had other limitations.

The Clippers' decision to sign Russell Westbrook is really dumb. Apparently they didn't see all the bricks and problems he had playing for the Lakers.

Will things work out for the veteran point guard better than they did with LA's other team?

But Lue envisions Mann as more of a small forward, so Westbrook might be able to play more of a true point guard role in the starting lineup. "And I think the floor will be open for him, spacing will be there for him. The Clippers are hoping Westbrook will be a more athletic, healthier and faster version of Wall, who came off the bench on a minutes restriction after playing 40 games in the previous three seasons. He's been in the playoffs a lot of times, been to the championship." The Clippers believe they have the coach and veterans to offset that and plenty of practice time with 21 games remaining on the schedule. However, Westbrook also comes with some of the same weaknesses as Wall, on a more magnified level. [Eric Gordon](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3431/eric-gordon) and [Bones Hyland](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4592492/bones-hyland) rather than adding a true point guard ahead of the NBA trade deadline Feb. "Quite honestly, we need somebody," said George, who helped recruit Wall to sign with the Clippers in free agency last summer. And despite having plenty of veteran experience themselves, the Clippers can use a player to add intensity and provide energy. Lue has made it clear in the past he prefers having a point guard in his rotation and the Clippers need someone to push the tempo. "We need the personality, we need the veteran [experience]. You know the ball is going to be in Kawhi and PG's hands about 60 percent of the time, so it's a delicate balance."

Westbrook is coming to the Clippers, and he has the backing of his new co-stars as well as his new head coach.

The addition of [Mason Plumlee](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/mason-plumlee-U2hHj6dKnqF8Gq2J/) allows the Clippers to stay big if [Ivica Zubac](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/ivica-zubac-OTPpn38MDEHT1u47/) is off the floor, which was not the case when Wall was on the team. [Norman Powell](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/norman-powell-hiYUGADQy1AEo1fw/), the departed [Luke Kennard](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/luke-kennard-Ic0bLwnrLLz3FExH/) and Wall were exposed. But Westbrook’s addition is a sign that the front office trusts Lue to make the best decisions for the team, and that they will listen to the players. George needed relief from all the playmaking and ballhandling duties, and the Clippers are a better roster fit for Westbrook than the Lakers due to the shooting present on the roster. But for a team that seeks to be a contender but is not a favorite by any means, adding Westbrook removes a key excuse from Lue and his stars. [Washington Wizards](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/wizards/) during the 2021 offseason with full knowledge of his strengths and weaknesses. But it was George who campaigned for Westbrook following the trade deadline and Leonard who was eager to see the Clippers upgrade the position. He averaged 4.6 free-throw attempts for the Lakers this season, showcasing his ability to still drive and get to the rim. Westbrook concluded his Lakers tenure by coming off of the bench, often in lineups with two to three other guards, but he did so with James once again campaigning for Irving — before the trade deadline. [had to be persuaded](https://theathletic.com/4183690/2023/02/11/paul-george-russell-westbrook-clippers/), and ultimately, they were. Those talks came to a head Monday when [a league source told The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/4232712/2023/02/20/russell-westbrook-clippers-signing/) that Westbrook plans to sign with the [Clippers](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/clippers/). [Utah Jazz](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/jazz/) [in a three-team trade](https://theathletic.com/4168855/2023/02/08/lakers-trade-russell-westbrook-dangelo-russell/).

Meanwhile, Kevin Love landed in Florida to join the Miami Heat, Patrick Beverley is signing with the Chicago Bulls and the Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly ...

Westbrook was traded to the Jazz from the Lakers ahead of the Feb. 9 deadline.

[Terance Mann](/nba/players/2202577/terance-mann/) in the starting lineup as the nominal "point guard" alongside George, [Kawhi Leonard](/nba/players/1715792/kawhi-leonard/), [Marcus Morris](/nba/players/1646569/marcus-morris/) Sr. It seems the team will take a look at both options, as Westbrook is expected to start at some point, but perhaps not right away, [according to Law Murray](https://twitter.com/lawmurraythenu/status/1627702583673643010?s=46&t=sceQPpU8aBTa4x5Ag0OPWA). and [Ivica Zubac](/nba/players/2245326/ivica-zubac/). Inserting Westbrook into the starting lineup just to have a "true point guard" would be a big mistake. Westbrook was traded from the [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/LAL/los-angeles-lakers/) to the Jazz as part of a three-team deal ahead of the trade deadline earlier this month. There was also the fact that James was publicly lobbying for the team to trade him, which did not help the vibes in the locker room.

The Clippers did make other moves during the trade deadline that changed their backcourt. They traded for Bones Hyland and Eric Gordon while trading away Reggie ...

Westbrook has had post-OKC success with the Houston Rockets, where for a few months he played at an elite level before the pandemic and injuries destroyed any chance he had to finish the season strong. That didn't leave a lot of opportunities for a player like Westbrook to have the ball in his hands. George had arguably his best season playing alongside Westbrook in their final season for the Thunder, so much so that he was in the running for MVP most of that season. Outside of those two players, no one will demand touches in the offense, which should lead to more opportunities for Westbrook to have the ball in his hands. With the Washington Wizards he was one of the main reasons the team made the playoffs in his first season. Lue has been known as a player’s coach, and maybe that is what Westbrook needs at this career stage. Ty Lue, on the other hand, has seen a lot in his coaching career. First, Westbrook is a California native and the public endorsed by Paul George, who has been reportedly recruiting his former teammate and had this to say during All-Star Weekend. Westbrook did finish some games with the Lakers, but it changed from game to game. Plenty of stories have been written about why it ultimately didn't work with the Lakers, and we can spend another month talking about that. That means we are inching closer to the playoffs, and teams are looking for ways to improve their rosters in the buyout market. However, we received reports recently that Westbrook had discussions with several teams, including the Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls, and the Los Angles Clippers.

As confirmed by CBS Sports' Bill Reiter, Westbrook will sign with the Clippers, who become the latest franchise to fall victim to the theoretical idea of what ...

The Lakers were that team. The Wizards were that team. The Rockets were that team. Now the Clippers are that team. The Clippers are this guy is absolutely one of the best dudes, one of the best people in the league," George said of Westbrook. With that said, let's look at what Russell Westbrook the basketball player, in 2023, can do for the Clippers. Where teams get in trouble is allowing the sentimentality of the first two to somehow cancel out the current reality of the last one. We keep trying to make this Westbrook conversation about fit, as if that was the only problem with the Lakers, or the [Wizards](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/WAS/washington-wizards/), or the Rockets. Everyone makes this out to be an attack on Westbrook the person, or an attack on his career as a whole. As confirmed by CBS Sports' Bill Reiter, Westbrook will sign with the [Clippers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/LAC/los-angeles-clippers/), who become the latest franchise to fall victim to the theoretical idea of what this former MVP and future Hall of Famer can still bring to a team with championship aspirations. See, this is the problem.

Saldrán las cosas mejor para el armador veterano que con el otro equipo de Los Angeles?

ET, ESPN) en un juego que podría ser fundamental para las esperanzas de playoffs o play-in de los Lakers. "Honestamente, necesitamos a alguien", dijo George, quien ayudó a reclutar a Wall para que firmara con los Clippers en la agencia libre el verano pasado. Ambos bases también pueden tener algunas pérdidas de balón frustrantes debido a su juego agresivo (Westbrook tiene un promedio de 3.5 esta temporada) y pueden ser objetivos defensivos para que ataquen los equipos contrarios. en general y 30.3% de 3 puntos), algo que Westbrook también hace mal a veces. Westbrook debería ser capaz de hacer las cosas que Wall mostró a principios de la temporada, incluido acelerar el ritmo y llegar al aro mientras patea a los tiradores. Lue ha dejado en claro en el pasado que prefiere tener un base en su rotación y que los Clippers necesitan a alguien que acelerara el ritmo. Si esta ida y vuelta con los Clippers sale mal, podría tener un impacto negativo en su mercado de agentes libres este verano. "Lo aceptamos con los brazos abiertos, hombre, déjalo ser él mismo", dijo Marcus Morris padre el 10 de febrero cuando se unió a George en la campaña para incorporar a Westbrook. Los Clippers han ganado 10 de sus últimos 14 partidos, pero intentar integrar a Westbrook al mismo tiempo que Gordon, Hyland y Plumlee podría tener un impacto negativo. Y a pesar de tener mucha experiencia como veteranos, los Clippers pueden usar a un jugador para agregar intensidad y energía. [Milwaukee Bucks](/basquetbol/nba/equipo/_/nombre/mil/milwaukee-bucks), se le preguntó a George si su equipo necesitaba llenar su puesto vacante en la lista con un base. El balón estará en manos de Kawhi y PG aproximadamente el 60 por ciento del tiempo, por lo que es un equilibrio delicado".