Report: Westbrook to sign with Clippers
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 AP. 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.
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 first-round draft pick to the Jazz as part of a three-team deal.
Love signs with Heat
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 Monday afternoon, 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 practice with Miami is scheduled for Thursday when the team returns from the All- Star break. He could make his debut Friday at Milwaukee.
Heat center Bam Adebayo said he planned to call coach Erik Spoelstra on Monday to start a conversation about how he and Love might be able to play alongside one another.
“Spo’s smart. He’ll figure it out, how we’re going to handle things,” Adebayo said. “It’s exciting. We’ve got fresh legs on the team. We’ve got a guy like Kevin Love, who has been through those wars, came back from 3-1 (with Cleveland against Golden State in the 2016 NBA Finals). You’ve got a battle-tested guy like that who has won. It’s big for us.”
Source: Bucks give Leonard chance
MIAMI>> 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.
Leonard’s career was jeopardized and his reputation damaged March 8, 2021 when it was discovered that he used a slur while playing an online game as others watched on a livestream.