Russell Westbrook Could Make Debut With Clippers On This Date
The biggest name to potentially become available in the NBA Buyout Market was Russell Westbrook and after being waived by the Utah Jazz on Monday afternoon, Westbrook is prepared to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Traded from the Los Angeles Lakers at this season’s trade deadline, Westbrook met with Utah’s management last week to discuss what the next steps were in regards to his future. Ultimately, the two sides came to an agreement that it would be best for him to be waived by the Jazz, allowing the nine-time All-Star to pursue a new opportunity elsewhere.
While the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat were rumored to have interest in Westbrook, the Clippers are the team that gets him, which is very ironic given that he was traded from the Lakers just about two weeks ago.
The earliest Westbrook can officially become a member of the Clippers is Wednesday afternoon, so when will he make his debut for them?
The league will resume games on Thursday, February 23 following the All-Star break, but the Clippers first game back will be on Friday. It is possible that Russell Westbrook will be ready to make his Clippers debut on Friday against the Sacramento Kings, but the team could wait to get Westbrook some more practice time.
Currently 33-28 on the season, the Clippers trail the Kings by just one game for the 3-seed in the Western Conference. With both teams winning one game against each other this season, this third game of the four-game season series will be a pivotal game in the Western Conference standings.
This game on Friday will also be the second game the Kings will play in as many days, as they are scheduled to play the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday, Feb. 23 in Sacramento.
Playing in 52 games with the Lakers this season, Westbrook has averaged 15.9 points, 7.5 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game while shooting 41.7 percent from the floor. He did make a positive impact in his bench role with the Lakers, but according to The Athletic’s Law Murray, Westbrook is expected to start for the Clippers, but that he may not do so right away.
Now in his 15th NBA season, the nine-time All-Star point guard will join his sixth different organization in the last five seasons, including the week he spent on Utah’s roster this season.
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