One NBA writer has linked All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook to the Boston Celtics and several other contenders.
Danny Leroux of The Athletic could see the Celtics and a few other teams have interest in Westbrook, who become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
“Identifying specific suitors is tough because Westbrook is such a polarizing player at this point, but, intuitively, I could see the Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers (if James Harden leaves), Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat (if Gabe Vincent leaves) as high-end teams looking for guard depth,” Leroux wrote. “The Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs are below them in the pecking order but could have a use for Westbrook.
Westbrook played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers this season. He averaged 15.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 73 games while shooting 43.6% from the field, 31.1% from beyond the arc and 65.6% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
“Technically the Clippers can offer Westbrook 120 percent of his minimum because they will have non-Bird rights on him, but the difference between that and the minimum is pretty negligible,” Leroux wrote. “Moreover, the financial difference for Steve Ballmer is huge because one-year veteran minimum contracts are partially subsidized by the league in terms of pure salary and the luxury tax.”
Westbrook played well in the 2023 playoffs. Even though the Clippers lost to the Phoenix Suns in the first round in five games, Russ averaged 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Russell Westbrook & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Since Westbrook has a close relationship with Clippers star small forward Paul George, LAC has to be the betting favorite to sign the former MVP this offseason. It will be interesting to see if other teams pursue Westbrook once free agency starts.
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