Russell Westbrook’s time with the Los Angeles Lakers came to an end earlier this month. The Lakers traded him to the Utah Jazz in a three-team deal that saw them receive D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt. It was certainly a day that some of the Lakers fanbase had been waiting for, after months of harsh criticism directed at Westbrook.
FULL TRADE DETAILS:
Lakers
– D’Angelo Russell
– Malik Beasley
– Jarred VanderbiltUtah
– Russell Westbrook
– Juan Toscano-Anderson
– Damian Jones
– First-Round PickMinnesota
– Mike Conley
– Nickeil Alexander-Walker
– 3 Second-Round Picks(via @wojespn) pic.twitter.com/JjfoXKMiom
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 9, 2023
Right after the trade, many sources claimed that Russ could agree to a buyout. And there were reports of a possible move to the Los Angeles Clippers as well. Now, all of these have come true as Westbrook recently agreed to a buyout with the Jazz. Multiple sources mention that he will be joining former teammate Paul George at the Clippers.
Will Russell Westbrook be a starter at the Los Angeles Clippers?
The return to LA could get Clippers fans excited, as Russell Westbrook has shown glimpses of his former self at times this season. He was not a starter with the Lakers, but did a decent job as the 6th man and put in a shift when called upon. The 9x All-Star is averaging 15.9 points, 7.5 assists, and 6.2 rebounds. These numbers are surely not that disappointing considering the adjustments he had to make after joining the Lakers.
Russell Westbrook will reportedly take his physical today and it is expected that he’ll be a starter with the Clippers, but not right away, per @LawMurrayTheNU. pic.twitter.com/XekeelI4UK
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 20, 2023
There have been reports of Westbrook becoming a starter for the Clippers this season. There is no doubt that he could prove to be a valuable asset to Tyronn Lue’s team. The Clippers are one of the names that we could expect to see in the playoffs. They have a record of 33-28 and are 4th seed in the West right now. Russ’ former team, the Lakers, is 13th and the playoffs could still be a long shot.
Westbrook has played with Paul George before with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The duo was balling out in OKC until 2019 when PG decided to move to LA in a trade that involved Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as well.
Currently, it looks like Russ could start alongside his former teammate, and Kawhi Leonard as well. Terence Mann is the starting PG for the LA-based franchise, and Russ’ arrival could boost their depth charts. It has not been disclosed when Russ will play his first game, but it looks likely that he might make an appearance against the Sacramento Kings on February 24.