Three-Team Trade Reignites Hope That Westbrook Returns to Thunder

On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a deal that will send Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damian Jones to Utah, Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to Minnesota, and D'Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley to Los Angeles. The trade comes on the back of a 133-130 Lakers loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday evening.

Early reports are that Westbrook is likely to be bought out by the Jazz, a team that many believe is going to begin aggressively tanking for a higher draft position. Currently, Utah sits in 10th place in the Western Conference standings, holding a half game lead over Oklahoma City.

The news that Westbrook will hit the open market has lead some of the OKC faithful to speculate that the Thunder great could make a return to the team that drafted him all the way back in 2008.

While Utah's decision could have big implications for Oklahoma City, it is only because the Jazz currently sit between the Thunder and a spot in the postseason. Law Murray of The Athletic noted that Westbrook would be interested in signing with the Los Angeles Clippers in a buyout scenario.

Source tells @TheAthletic that NBA guard Russell Westbrook would have interest in LA Clippers if he secures buyout after pending trade.
— Law Murray 💡 (@LawMurrayTheNU) February 9, 2023

The former UCLA star is a Los Angeles native, born in Long Beach before attending high school in Lawndale.

Even if Westbrook had been interested in OKC, it is unlikely that the Thunder would've shared the same sentiment. The former MVP would be the oldest player on Oklahoma City's roster by three years, beating out nine-year veteran Mike Muscala.

Giving playing time to an older player like Westbrook would take away minutes and touches from some of the team's younger players, who need the experience in order to develop into the best version of themselves. Additionally, Westbrook's play style would be a difficult fit in the offense that head coach Mark Daigneault has whipped up.

While the franchise will always love Westbrook, and likely retire his jersey someday, a reunion between the two sides seems unlikely in 2023.

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