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SALT LAKE CITY — Russ, we hardly knew thee. Actually, that's even generous.
Russell Westbrook's short-lived time on the Utah Jazz roster is coming to an end soon. ESPN reported on Monday that Westbrook plans to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers after completing a contract buyout with the Jazz.
Westbrook had about $13.2 million left on his contract this season.
The guard came to the Jazz as part of a trade deadline deal that sent Mike Conley to Minnesota, and Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Utah management said it was open to having the former MVP point guard join its rebuilding team, but made it clear what he should expect if he did report to Utah.
"We wanted to be very transparent about where we are as an organization," Jazz general manager Justin Zanik said in the days after the trade was completed.
That meant the Jazz would welcome Westbrook onto the team but were going to prioritize their young players over a role for the former All-Star guard.
Utah made the trade in order to get a future first-round pick from the Lakers; Westbrook's contract was simply part of the cost of getting that asset.
If he wanted to have a more consistent role on a team — or any role at all — it would be best for all parties to reach an agreement on a buyout.
Utah allowed Westbrook to take time to consider his options, though — to decompress a bit and find a new landing spot. In the days since the trade, Westbrook's camp has discussed deals with teams.
And now, he appears to have found a new home — one that is in the same place as his old one.
