Will LA Clippers sign Russell Westbrook if he gets bought out by Utah Jazz? Exploring their possible options for free agency
The LA Clippers are in need of a reliable point guard after trading John Wall and Reggie Jackson at this season's deadline. One possible candidate for the team to acquire would be Russell Westbrook, who got traded to the Utah Jazz early Thursday morning and is likely to be bought out by the team.
Since the LA Lakers traded Westbrook, many have speculated that the veteran guard could be bought out by the Jazz. Westbrook is in the final year of his five-year $207 million deal, which he signed when he was still with the OKC Thunder.
ESPN Sources: Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook is planning to exercise his $47.1 million option to return to the franchise for the 2022-2023 season.
According to reports, the Clippers could be one of the top teams to sign the nine-time All-Star. He has a connection with one of the team's All-Stars, Paul George. ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported that George started recruiting Westbrook for the team.
Paul George has already begun recruiting Russell Westbrook, per @ramonashelburne https://t.co/YiyNWKk82X
With the Clippers having no backcourt players at the time, it looks like they will be seriously pursuing the 2016-17 MVP.
There are other teams who could pose as a threat to getting Westbrook. The Chicago Bulls look like one of the more serious threats for the Clippers. Their starting point guard, Lonzo Ball, has not played a single game this season due to an injury. The Bulls are in desperate need of an elite facilitator.
If the Clippers fail to acquire Westbrook, they could pursue other guards. But that would mean they'd have to trade, which wouldn't be possible as it's past the deadline already.
Also read: Why did LA Clippers not trade for Fred VanVleet at NBA trade deadline? Explaining Toronto Raptors' unsuitable demands
What happened to the LA Clippers point guards who Russell Westbrook will be replacing?
Ahead of the trade deadline, many expected the LA Clippers to ship Wall somewhere else. He hasn't been an effective help from the backcourt, and the team is in desperate need of a change at point guard. The veteran was traded back to the Houston Rockets as part of a three-team trade.
Breaking: The Rockets are acquiring John Wall as part of a three-team deal. The Clippers are sending Luke Kennard to the Grizzlies, and the Clippers are getting Eric Gordon, Danny Green and three second-round picks, sources told @wojespn. https://t.co/5AI9wYZahi
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Los Angeles traded Wall and Luke Kennard for Eric Gordon. The Memphis Grizzlies were the third team to participate and shipped out Danny Green. The Clippers also got three second-round draft picks from the Grizzlies.
For Reggie Jackson, no one thought he would be included in the deal. People were caught off guard as the Clippers' front office pulled the trigger ahead of the deadline.
Clippers are sending Reggie Jackson to Charlotte in the deal, source tells ESPN. twitter.com/wojespn/status…
Jackson was traded to the Charlotte Hornets for a reliable big man in Mason Plumlee. Los Angeles has longed for a dependable backup center who could play meaningful minutes for Ivica Zubac. At first, it was Wall who was rumored to be included in getting the team a backup center. However, the Clippers apparently changed their thinking at the last minute.
Also read: NBA Rumors: LA Clippers interested in Russell Westbrook if he secures a buyout