BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 28: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half against the Boston Celtics \at TD Garden on January 28, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Will Russell Westbrook end the ongoing NBA season with the Utah Jazz?
An extremely eventful trade deadline day saw plenty of calibre and experience complete moves to their new teams, and one of the biggest names on the trade merry go round was none other than Russell Westbrook – who finally ended his underwhelming spell at the Los Angeles Lakers.
Russell Westbrook has not had the best of times playing for the Lakers. Since his trade to the Lakers in 2021, the former MVP had a shocker of a first season as the Lakers failed to qualify for the Playoffs right after winning the Championship – and followed it up with an underwhelming second season, where even with improvement in his game, the Lakers are not any better.
After speculation about a move away for months, it surfaced that the Lakers traded Westbrook to Utah, reacquiring guard D’Angelo Russell from Minnesota in a three-team eight-player deal. Los Angeles is also getting guard Malik Beasley and forward Jarred Vanderbilt from the Jazz, bolstering its new core around the record-breaking LeBron James in a bid to jump-start its sputtering season.
It was also revealed that Westbrook’s trade to the Utah Jazz has a buy out clause mentioned in it, and any interested team can acquire his services if they want to.
As it turns out, there are teams in the NBA who Russell Westbrook appeals to.
Westbrook was largely expected to negotiate a buyout on his $47 million contract with the Jazz. According to ESPN, the player intends to take his time and use the All-Star break this weekend to decide his immediate future. It has been revealed that multiple teams such as the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat and the LA Clippers are said to be interested in him as a free agent.
Westbrook will certainly bring veteran experience to any side despite not being the same player that he was years ago, and it will be interesting to follow his situation and how it evolves over time.
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