Jazz Officially Waive Russell Westbrook

The Russell Westbrook era with the Utah Jazz was over before it could begin.

The Utah Jazz did as expected and waived guard Russell Westbrook this week after completing a buyout.

We have waived guard Russell Westbrook.https://t.co/VT9h5ocrtq#TakeNote

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 20, 2023

Acquired in the three-way trade that saw the Jazz unload Mike Conley, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt, Westbrook arrived in Utah with both feet out the door. Although there were reports that Westbrook was considering accepting a Jazz offer to stay and complete this season and push for the playoffs, it was always a slim likelihood of happening. 

The biggest reason being that the Jazz were straight up with Westbrook in explaining what his role would be with the team and how the organizational focus would remain on developing the young talent on the roster. Westbrook doesn't have time for that at age 34. 

Westbrook wants to play and a lot after how things unfolded with the Los Angeles Lakers. He figures his best odds of doing that is with his old teammate Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers, where he's expected to sign. 

With a 33-28 record, the Clippers currently hold the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. Westbrook will be right in the thick of things and reuniting with an old partner. 

Meanwhile, the Jazz sit at 29-31, holding the No. 11 seed in the Conference. A playoff berth is still within striking distance, especially if this new lineup post-trade deadline continues to gel with Collin Sexton (hopefully healthy) and Talen Horton-Tucker doing yeoman's work. 

Westbrook would have had a shot at being in the conversation had he opted to stay in Utah. But it wasn't meant to be. 

Happy trails to the former league MVP. 

We hardly knew ye. 

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