Westbrook bound for championship-hunting Clippers

LOS ANGELES — 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 The Associated Press. The Clippers had no comment.

The Clippers became increasingly interested in Westbrook as team officials, including coach Ty Lue and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, dug into a series of conversations with Westbrook, sources said. Those discussions centered on Westbrook's willingness to fit into a clear and specific role with the Clippers built around his play-making, rebounding and toughness, sources said.

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.

Westbrook had discussed deals with the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards and Miami Heat in recent days, but the chance to compete for a championship and remain in Los Angeles played a significant part in his decision to choose the Clippers, sources said.

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. "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."

The Lakers traded Westbrook and a 2027 first-round draft pick to the Jazz as part of a three-team deal.

The Clippers rank fourth in the Western Conference at 33-28, nine games behind pacesetting Denver, while the Lakers rank 13th at 37-32 — 3.5 games and six teams behind sixth-place Dallas for the last guaranteed playoff spot in the West.

The Clippers resume their season after the NBA All-Star Game break on Friday at home against the Sacramento Kings.

The next and final Lakers-Clippers matchup of the regular season will be April 5.

Beverley to Bulls

Free agent guard Patrick Beverley, a Chicago native, will sign with his hometown Bulls, ESPN and The Athletic reported on Monday.

The Bulls will need to waive a player to create a roster spot for Beverley, which is expected to happen this week.

Beverley has a reputation as one of the NBA's toughest defenders, earning NBA All-Defensive Team honors three times (first team in 2017, second team in 2014 and 2020).

The 34-year-old joined the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the season, but on Feb 9 he was shipped in a four-team trade to the Orlando Magic, who then agreed to a contract buyout.

In 45 games (all starts) for the Lakers, Beverley averaged 6.4 points per game, his lowest average since his first NBA season in 2012-13. He added 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 0.9 steals per game.

The Bulls are a lackluster 26-33,11th place in the Eastern Conference and fighting to make the play-in tournament.

Agencies via Xinhua