Clippers to sign Westbrook after he is waived by Jazz
Russell Westbrook was waived by the Utah Jazz on Monday and the nine-time All-Star is expected to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to a published report.
The 34-year-old guard was acquired by the Jazz from the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 10. He averaged 15.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 28.7 minutes per game in a rocky tenure with the Lakers.
ESPN reported that Westbrook's agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports, told the outlet he will sign with the Clippers after completing a contract buyout on the remaining $47 million he's owed on his expiring deal.
Schwartz did not immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press. The Clippers had no comment.
The move would reunite Westbrook with Paul George, his former teammate in Oklahoma City. It also allows Westbrook to stay in Los Angeles. He is from the area and starred at UCLA.
George had lobbied recently for the Clippers to land Westbrook, who won the MVP in 2017 with the Thunder.
“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,” George said. “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, he will mesh and he'll figure out how we play and he'll adjust to it.”
Westbrook would join a Clippers team that is fourth in the Western Conference at 33-28 coming out of the All-Star break.
The Lakers traded Westbrook and a 2027 firstround draft pick to the Jazz as part of a threeteam deal.
LOVE SIGNS WITH MIAMI >> Kevin Love wasted no time. He's officially a member of the Miami Heat.
The five-time All-Star and 15-year NBA veteran cleared waivers, then signed a contract to join the Heat for the remainder of the season not long afterward. The now-former Cleveland forward was in Miami for the signing, with plans to start working out at his new team facility right away.
Love's first official practice with Miami is scheduled for Thursday when the team returns from its AllStar break, and he could make his Heat debut as early as Friday at Milwaukee.
BUCKS ACQUIRE LEONARD >> Meyers Leonard is getting another chance at the NBA, nearly two years after he used an anti-Semitic slur while playing a video game that was being livestreamed.
A person with knowledge of the negotiations said Leonard and the Milwaukee Bucks have agreed on a 10-day contract, opening the door for the 7-foot center to play in an NBA game for the first time since January 2021. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.