Is Russell Westbrook going to LA Clippers: Exploring how the Utah Jazz guard can reunite with Paul George and his potential fit
The LA Lakers recently traded Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz. When that decision was made, rumors started flying around that Utah could buy out Westbrook.
It would make sense from both perspectives, as Utah doesn't necessarily have a need for Westbrook at this point in his career, and the player himself would likely want to play with a title-contending team.
Of those teams, the LA Clippers, Chicago Bulls and others have been rumored to be interested in adding the future Hall of Fame point guard to their roster.
However, Clippers' shooting guard Paul George has already made his pitch to Russell Westbrook about joining him in Los Angeles. George did so after the Clippers' 119-106 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.
“I’ve talked to him just to kind of see where his head is and to see if there is anything I can do. …” George said via the Associated Press. “I’m a big believer and a fan of what Russ’ work is, having one of my best seasons in my career alongside of him. I’ve seen what he can do night in and night out. I really think he can improve the team. He’s such a big talent. He rebounds, he finds guys, he makes the game easy for everyone. I think he will come in, mesh, figure out how we play, and adjust to it.
"I mean if there's, you know, somebody out there -- Russell," George said. "If it makes sense and obviously it goes with our team, we're all for it. You know, we need a point guard. But you know, [at] the same [time], I think we're good as well. If nothing happened, we got enough in this locker room to be able to make it work."
Before the trade deadline, several NBA insiders had also talked about the possibility of Westbrook playing for the Clippers.
Should Russell Westbrook secure a buyout from the Utah Jazz after the three-team trade is complete, the Los Angeles Clippers are said to have interest in the star guard, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
Russell Westbrook suitors if bought out by Utah Jazz includes: Hornets, Wizards, Nets, Clippers, Mavs sources tell @BallySports. https://t.co/ylcr2RYosp
Will Russell Westbrook join the LA Clippers?
It's tough to say if Russell Westbrook is going to join the Los Angeles Clippers, but it does certainly look like it's a possibility. This could be a good idea for Los Angeles if they want to get out in transition more. Obviously, Westbrook isn't the same type of player he once was, but there's no denying that a change of scenery could be all he needs to get back to his old self.
The season before he joined the Lakers, he was one of the top players in the NBA. Unfortunately, the fit between LeBron James and Anthony Davis just didn't work out. In that 2020 season with the Wizards, he averaged 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 11.7 assists per game. If he can do anything like that for this Clippers team, there's a good chance that they can win an NBA Championship.
Even Clippers' veteran forward Marcus Morris believes Westbrook could be a good addition to the team.
“I want him to come,” Morris said. “I think that you can’t kill a wounded dog. You give him an opportunity to come back, it could be dangerous.”
Given the chances that Russell Westbrook could be a huge bench piece for Los Angeles, it makes sense from both sides. He could also move the tempo for starters, but it's likely that the LA Clippers will keep him on the bench.
Either way, Russell Westbrook fits what the Clippers are looking for, and it would also be an easy transition considering he wouldn't have to relocate.