Russell Westbrook ‘absolutely’ considered staying with Jazz after Lakers trade

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, left, defends Clippers guard Russell Westbrook.

Clippers guard Russell Westbrook controls the ball in front of Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson on Friday. (Rick Bowmer / Associated Press)

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Russell Westbrook’s late-career revival with the Clippers now has a chance to be more than a feel-good story. It could even be a championship story.

But none of that happens without an assist from the Jazz, who received Westbrook in a trade Feb. 8 and bought out the full amount remaining on his $47-million salary last season. It paved the way for him to become a free agent, sign with Los Angeles and begin a late-stage career revival.

His 12 days as a member of Utah will go down as a footnote, his 15th NBA season remembered more for the turmoil of what preceded it with the Lakers — “I was relieved on all levels” after being traded, he said — and the resurgence that followed during his Clippers tenure.

Yet in those 12 days, Westbrook “absolutely” gave serious consideration to remaining with the Jazz.

“I would have come in and did whatever they asked me to do,” Westbrook said. “I told them I could be a mentor. Whatever I needed to do to help, I would have done it. Like always I do whatever is best for the team. If that’s to come and sit my ass there in street clothes and make sure I help the young guys, I’ll do that.”

Clippers guard Russell Westbrook stands on the court during a win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook stands on the court during a win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Westbrook remained in Los Angeles after the trade, never traveling to Utah as he and the Jazz considered their mutual fit during conversations with coach Will Hardy, assistants and players Westbrook knew from previous stops, top basketball executive Danny Ainge and owner Ryan Smith.

Westbrook wanted to join a playoff contender and the rebuilding Jazz could not offer that, nor guaranteed minutes, as they prioritized the development of younger players. Still, the Jazz told Westbrook they would welcome him if he chose to report.

“I just wanted to make sure that he knew how much I respect him as a player,” Hardy said. “And that whatever the decision ends up being, that he’s always welcome here with me. I’ve had a lot of respect for him for a long time. I’ve been on staffs in San Antonio in particular where we played Oklahoma City in the playoffs a lot, so I’ve seen Russell up close and personal. You know, his reputation speaks for itself.

Los Angeles, CA, Wednesday, October 25, 2023 – LA Clippers guard Russell Westbrook (0) celebrates after a slam dunk against the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
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“And so as a coach, it was really just about opening the line of communication that if there was anything that he needed from me, any conversations that he wanted to have, any questions he had about the situation here in terms of the team day to day, that I was available.”

Westbrook never had been part of a midseason trade. A max-contract player named to the list of the NBA’s 75 greatest players, he’d never been through a buyout. He felt confident he would land with another team, based on the interest expressed by the Clippers and others. But before he could plot moving on, he had to first decide whether it made more sense to stay in Utah.

“I didn’t fit into that moment but I’m open to honesty and I appreciate them being super honest and up-front with me, and it’s easier that way,” he said.