Russell Westbrook hasn’t dressed for the Utah Jazz since joining the team at the trade deadline. While he has yet to come to a buyout with the team, the 2016-2017 NBA MVP has been given permission to speak with four teams, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Speaking on NBA Countdown, Wojnarowski stated:
“I’m told Russell Westbrook has permission from the Jazz to go out and scout potential buyout teams, a role elsewhere that might fit, so he’s spent this week doing that. Among the teams they’ve contacted: the Bulls, Clippers, Wizards, Miami Heat.
“I think a lot of it is just getting an idea, 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 teams have a history with the nine-time All-Star. Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan coached Westbrook for four seasons with 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 before 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’s unclear what the next step in Westbrook’s career will be, as the purchase with the Utah Jazz has yet to occur. Speaking on FanDuel TV, The Athletic’s Shams Charania shared that it may be due to a market that hasn’t developed, stating:
“When you look at the teams around the league, there still isn’t a place for Russell Westbrook… I hope he takes the next week or so to figure out if he can find a home elsewhere.”
“I think if he already had a house, the Jazz would have bought him and allowed him to go find another team, but right now, it’s a slow-moving market and we’ll see if Russell Westbrook will be able to do it.” find a home.”
While he may not be his first choice, Westbrook’s best option may be to stay with the Utah Jazz, where he could likely have the ball more often. Although he wouldn’t be challenging for a title in Utah, Westbrook could probably rebuild some of his value before free agency this summer.
Check out Shams Charania’s full comments below: