Russell Westbrook passes on Wizards to join Clippers

There will be no Russell Westbrook reunion for the Washington Wizards.

The former MVP will instead join the Los Angeles Clippers after he agrees to a buyout with the Utah Jazz, according to multiple reports. The Wizards were one of four teams who were granted permission to speak with Westbrook ahead of the move, with the Clippers, Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat also expressing interest.

But Westbrook chose the Clippers — a contender that will allow Westbrook to go back to his hometown Los Angeles, where he also played for UCLA. Before being traded to Utah this month, Westbrook spent the last year and a half with the Los Angeles Lakers — a stint that did not go as well as either Westbrook or the Lakers had planned. Westbrook proved an awkward fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and the Lakers moved the nine-time All-Star to the bench this season.  Westbrook averaged 15.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 28.7 minutes per game with the Lakers.

The Clippers, though, reportedly plan on carving out a specific role for Westbrook — one that will focus on his playmaking, rebounding and physicality. The franchise had been seeking point guard help as it moved on from John Wall and Reggie Jackson at the trade deadline, while also acquiring Bones Hyland from Denver. Los Angeles is 33-28 this season, fourth best in the West. 

The move will reunite Westbrook with former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Paul George, who had lobbied the Clippers to land the former 2017 MVP.

“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.”

ESPN first reported the news.

The Wizards explored a potential reunion with Westbrook as they try to make a push to the playoffs. Westbrook spent one year with the franchise in 2020-21, resulting in the Wizards’ most recent playoff appearance. The guard fueled a strong second half for the Wizards, who became the eighth seed and lost in five games to the Philadelphia 76ers. Westbrook averaged a triple-double that season and surpassed Oscar Robertson as the NBA’s all-time triple-double leader. 

This season, Washington has primarily used Monte Morris and Delon Wright at point guard. The team also has two-way player Jordan Goodwin, who is now expected to see his contract converted into a standard deal after Washington reaches a buyout with veteran Will Barton. 

This story is based in part on wire service reports.