After months of trade rumors surrounding Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook, he was finally dealt on Wednesday in a blockbuster three-team trade to the Utah Jazz.
However, many around the NBA world believe that the Jazz may ultimately buy out Westbrook’s contract, and a number of teams are already interested in signing him if this comes to fruition.
According to NBA on TNT insider Chris Haynes, both the Los Angeles Clippers and the Chicago Bulls have interest in Westbrook should he hit the free agency market following a potential buyout by Utah.
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.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 9, 2023
The Chicago Bulls are interested in signing Russell Westbrook should he secure a buyout with the Utah Jazz, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 9, 2023
His tenure was not super successful with the Lakers, leading many fans of both teams ultimately not loving the possibility of Westbrook joining either the Bulls or Clippers.
I knew this tweet was coming and I’m absolutely dreading it now that it’s here. https://t.co/XVaP9ThLGg
— Garrett Chorpenning (@gachorpenning) February 9, 2023
How to completely derail a championship contender, Exhibit A: https://t.co/RPtTCSdV6O
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) February 9, 2023
https://t.co/qYmbovpQyj pic.twitter.com/mpivtK5tpN
— Clay Ferraro (@ClayWPLG) February 9, 2023
Got nothing against Russ.
But. He. Can't. Shoot. https://t.co/FvmjsUSTUX
— Matt Peck (@Bulls_Peck) February 9, 2023
I don't think this helps the Bulls. https://t.co/1Vi2kwUgET
— Steve Morck (@YourBoyStove) February 9, 2023
https://t.co/5Y3fcxg4Tt pic.twitter.com/Uy10WaMHyL
— Dan Favale (@danfavale) February 9, 2023
Westbrook very clearly struggled alongside another ball-dominant player in LeBron James with the Lakers. That could also be an issue for him in joining either of these teams, either joining Paul George and Kawhi Leonard on the Clippers or Demar Derozan and Zach LaVine in Chicago.
The Clippers do present the most obvious landing spot for Westbrook given his past success alongside Paul George on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The duo played together for two seasons, making the postseason in both seasons under then head coach Billy Donovan, who now interestingly is the head coach of the Bulls.
While there are obvious upsides to bringing in Westbrook, the downsides appear to be even more disastrous. His stats have plummeted in the past two seasons in Los Angeles, and he was at times unplayable on the court.
It is unclear whether or not Westbrook can ever get back to his All-Star caliber play. We will shortly find out whether it was just a bad fit on the Lakers, or if Westbrook is just not the same player he once was.
