NBA

Reports Say That Russell Westbrook Has Spoken With The Heat, Clippers, Bulls, And Wizards As Buyout Options

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Will Lakers trade Russell Westbrook, two first-rounders for Nets Kyrie Irving

Russell Westbrook played and started in 78 games for the Lakers last season and averaged (18.5) points per game. In 2022-23 under new head coach Darvin Ham, Westbrook was moved to a bench role just three games into the season. The situation never got better and that’s why the Lakers traded away Westbrook to the Jazz. Now, he’s been in contact with four different teams in the buyout market with the permission of the Utah Jazz.

The nine-time all-star played in 52 games for the Lakers this season and made three starts. It’s clear that Westbrook and the coaching staff were not jiving anymore and the best option was for the Lakers to cut their ties. Currently, the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, LA Clippers, and Washington Wizards have all been in contact with Westbrook according to NBA insiders.

Reports also say that there is a chance that he plays out the rest of the season with Utah. If he does in fact stay with the Jazz, Utah Sports Betting sites have Jazz at (+30000) to win the Finals this season.

Where will Russell Westbrook end up next?

NBA ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski said that Westbrook has been in contact with the Clippers, Bulls, Heat, and Wizards in a potential buyout signing. The 2016-17 NBA MVP is trying to figure out his role would be with each team if he were to get a buyout.

Westbrook is 34 and has no signs of slowing down just yet. Two seasons ago with the Wizards in 2020-21 he lead the league in assists (11.7) per game. He may not be the scorer that he once was, but he can certainly still be a solid PG off the bench that can help control the offense.

His best option to play on a championship contender of the four teams he’s talking with are the LA Clippers. If this buyout did happen, he’d be back in LA, just for the other teams who plays at Crypto.com Arena.