The Clippers ‘have begun conversations’ with Russell Westbrook over a potential deal

The L.A. Clippers have begun talks with Russell Westbrook over the possibility of a deal, as the star point guard figures out whether to stay on the Utah Jazz or seek a potential buyout ahead of March 1 – the NBA’s soft deadline for its buyout market. 

On February 9, ahead of the league’s 3 p.m. trade deadline, the 34-year-old was sent to Salt Lake City as part of a three-way deal that saw the L.A. Lakers reacquire guard D’Angelo Russell from Minnesota. 

Timberwolves guard Malike Beasley and forward Jarren Vanderbilt were also part of the trade that saw Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones and a first-round pick go the other way along with Westbrook. 

Minnesota got Mike Conely and Nickeil Alexander-Walker from Utah, along with three second-round picks, as well. 

For now, it seems like the trade’s worked in the Purple and Gold’s favor, after LeBron, Russell and Anthony Davis played on their home court for the first time together since the deal, alienating the New Orleans Pelicans, 102-120, on Wednesday. 

The Clippers have started talks with Russell Westbrook over a potential deal to return to L.A.

MOVING ON: The Lakers traded Westbrook in a three-team deal to reacquire D’Angelo Russell

Westbrook, who averaged 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 52 games for the Lakers this season, has yet to appear in a Jazz jersey since being traded, but the team’s allowed its new star to hold talks with other teams in an attempt to resolve his future ahead of the All-Star break.

‘The Los Angeles Clippers have begun conversations with Russell Westbrook, sources tell me and @LawMurrayTheNu,’ tweeted Shams Charania, of The Athletic, on Wednesday.

‘Clippers received permission to speak to Westbrook and talks have started among franchise officials.’

Among those who’d like to see the NBA’s 2017 MVP return to Crypto.com Arena is Westbrook’s former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate and current Clippers small forward, Paul George, who signed with L.A. in 2019. 

‘I’ve talked to him just to kind of see where his head is and to see if there is anything I can do,’ George said on February 11, two days after Westbrook was traded from the Lakers to the Jazz. 

‘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.’ 

‘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.’ 

George added that despite the Clippers no longer having someone to run the point after trading away Luke Kennard, Reggie Jackson and John Wall, the team can still make a postseason run without a field general. 

Clippers small forward Paul George would welcome a change to play with Westbrook again

The Clippers need a point guard ahead of the playoffs after trading John Wall & Reggie Jackson

But, having Westbrook in the traditional role of starting the offense would make things easier, he admitted. Wall’s move in the last off-season didn’t work out as planned. 

‘We have enough shooting to surround Russ where Russ can be Russ. I think the floor would be open for him, spacing would be there for him,’ George said. ‘I know that’s my game, spacing the floor, being a shooter on the perimeter and then just running with him in transition. I think that’s where we can complement him.’ 

Westbrook never got to mesh with LeBron and the often-injured Davis on the Lakers and faced backlash from the Purple & Gold faithful after averaging 3.7 turnovers per game.

The end of his tenure there was also marked by an alleged locker-room dispute with Lakers coach Darwin Ham. 

‘If it makes sense and obviously it goes with our team, we’re all for it,’ George said. ‘Hopefully, Russell sees this and we figure something out.’