Russell Westbrook Open To Playing For The Jazz - Would You Like Him To?

[Inigo Montoya]

Russell Westbrook has expressed a willingness to play for the Utah Jazz if they don't agree to a buyout.
https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/270446/Russell-Westbrook-Open-To-Playing-For-Jazz

Personally, I really like Westbrook. I also think he may actually fit this team quite well. I know there is a certain perception of him but the guy is a really good player and not some scrub. If he plays, I think the Jazz will win games. I wouldn't mind him playing for the Jazz but if it's just until the end of the season then there isn't much point to it because he would help the Jazz win games that we shouldn't, and then he'll move on. But if there is a scenario that he plays and actually finds that he likes it here and somehow signs here long-term, that may not be such a bad outcome imho if we're trying to compete ASAP.

[red4hf]

I have nothing against Westbrook, but I don't want him taking Sextons minutes......

[Crunch 99]

Yes, if he is willing to come off the bench.

[mg]

No thanks. I actually like WB but prefer to give those minutes to younger development guys Sexton and THT.
Clarkson didn't play last night and he's going to get his 30 minutes a night.
I'd be interested in seeing what Bolmaro can do before the end of this season too.

[Inigo Montoya]

No thanks. I actually like WB but prefer to give those minutes to younger development guys Sexton and THT.
Clarkson didn't play last night and he's going to get his 30 minutes a night.
I'd be interested in seeing what Bolmaro can do before the end of this season too.

Bolmaro and Dok are sunk costs at this point. The Jazz rescinded their options for next season so they are gone when the season is over.

This is another reason for why I dislike the big trade we just made. We received no young talent in return, so we don't get to develop and increase the value of any players other than Kessler, Agbaji and THT (and maybe Sexton). We now give Dok about 15 minutes per game when he's not going to be here in a few months and will have no trade value. Those are wasted minutes for development of actual relevant prospects (same thing if we start giving Bolmaro minutes now). It would have been nice if we could give those 15 minutes per game to a young player that could stick with us long term or that could be flipped later for another asset.

[SoCalJazzFan]

I think he is talented, but no.

He just had his 4th trade in 5 seasons. With every team he argued with the coaches, ignored the coaches, and upset his teammates on the court with his play.

Also, while he had an unfortunate experience with a Jazz fan (possibly one visiting from out of town, I'm not sure of this), he is easily triggered and it could take one incident to make Utah even less appealing to the majority of players in the league.

Lastly, there really isn't much upside. He might win games. He takes away minutes from the players that will be here longer term.

The risk of all of the above for a few games of exciting RW street ball. No thanks.

[AGE1207]

In a team always looking to make that extra pass offensively and for extra effort defensively??? Just doesn’t fit in…

[FJS]

In jazz ig he has not been welcomed.


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[zero24gravity]

We now give Dok about 15 minutes per game when he's not going to be here in a few months and will have no trade value. Those are wasted minutes for development of actual relevant prospects (same thing if we start giving Bolmaro minutes now). It would have been nice if we could give those 15 minutes per game to a young player that could stick with us long term or that could be flipped later for another asset.

Jones should be getting every minute that Dok has gotten over the last couple games, IMO. We've seen Dok and he's terrible. He's not under contract next year, and as you stated, won't be with the team. Jones has another year on his deal and he can't be any worse, so let's see what he's got. I get he's 27 years old, and unlikely to make any kind of impact (8ppg/4.5 rpg last year with SAC in 18mpg), but I'm SO OVER Azabuke. (I'd also like to see JTA get all of Gay's minutes, just to see if he is worth keeping around in the future ... maybe get some Juancho-type impact from him.)

As far as RW goes ... my issue with him MAYBE playing for the Jazz isn't his on the court impact. My issue is that the guy seems to have no issue causing locker room issues and arguing with coaches. Need to keep that crap away from the team.

[ForeverRDjazz]

I'd love the see Russ suit up and keep the roll of sixth man behind Sexton which I think would almost give him Sixth man of the years plus give Utah bird rights if he stays the rest the year. We can then do sign and tried in the off season possible helping both Utah and Russ land with a new team if needed. Not really sold and Sexton with high minutes. Part of me still thinks RW might lead to playoffs and I'd still love to be apart of. Maybe kicking the Wolves out? Sorry Rudy and Mike.

[red4hf]

We now give Dok about 15 minutes per game when he's not going to be here in a few months and will have no trade value. Those are wasted minutes for development of actual relevant prospects (same thing if we start giving Bolmaro minutes now). It would have been nice if we could give those 15 minutes per game to a young player that could stick with us long term or that could be flipped later for another asset.

Jones should be getting every minute that Dok has gotten over the last couple games, IMO. We've seen Dok and he's terrible. He's not under contract next year, and as you stated, won't be with the team. Jones has another year on his deal and he can't be any worse, so let's see what he's got. I get he's 27 years old, and unlikely to make any kind of impact (8ppg/4.5 rpg last year with SAC in 18mpg), but I'm SO OVER Azabuke. (I'd also like to see JTA get all of Gay's minutes, just to see if he is worth keeping around in the future ... maybe get some Juancho-type impact from him.)

As far as RW goes ... my issue with him MAYBE playing for the Jazz isn't his on the court impact. My issue is that the guy seems to have no issue causing locker room issues and arguing with coaches. Need to keep that crap away from the team.

I'm confused, what's preventing the Jazz from re-signing Udoka as a free agent next season?

[zero24gravity]

We now give Dok about 15 minutes per game when he's not going to be here in a few months and will have no trade value. Those are wasted minutes for development of actual relevant prospects (same thing if we start giving Bolmaro minutes now). It would have been nice if we could give those 15 minutes per game to a young player that could stick with us long term or that could be flipped later for another asset.

Jones should be getting every minute that Dok has gotten over the last couple games, IMO. We've seen Dok and he's terrible. He's not under contract next year, and as you stated, won't be with the team. Jones has another year on his deal and he can't be any worse, so let's see what he's got. I get he's 27 years old, and unlikely to make any kind of impact (8ppg/4.5 rpg last year with SAC in 18mpg), but I'm SO OVER Azabuke. (I'd also like to see JTA get all of Gay's minutes, just to see if he is worth keeping around in the future ... maybe get some Juancho-type impact from him.)

As far as RW goes ... my issue with him MAYBE playing for the Jazz isn't his on the court impact. My issue is that the guy seems to have no issue causing locker room issues and arguing with coaches. Need to keep that crap away from the team.

I'm confused, what's preventing the Jazz from re-signing Udoka as a free agent next season?

.... not wasting money and a roster spot? lol

I believe they can sign him, but they already declined his option for next year, which seems pretty telling (unless he magically becomes a decent NBA player over the next couple months).

[red4hf]

Jones should be getting every minute that Dok has gotten over the last couple games, IMO. We've seen Dok and he's terrible. He's not under contract next year, and as you stated, won't be with the team. Jones has another year on his deal and he can't be any worse, so let's see what he's got. I get he's 27 years old, and unlikely to make any kind of impact (8ppg/4.5 rpg last year with SAC in 18mpg), but I'm SO OVER Azabuke. (I'd also like to see JTA get all of Gay's minutes, just to see if he is worth keeping around in the future ... maybe get some Juancho-type impact from him.)

As far as RW goes ... my issue with him MAYBE playing for the Jazz isn't his on the court impact. My issue is that the guy seems to have no issue causing locker room issues and arguing with coaches. Need to keep that crap away from the team.

I'm confused, what's preventing the Jazz from re-signing Udoka as a free agent next season?

.... not wasting money and a roster spot? lol

I believe they can sign him, but they already declined his option for next year, which seems pretty telling (unless he magically becomes a decent NBA player over the next couple months).

I don't disagree that we probably shouldn't...... But if he suddenly develops, we do have the cap space...... Which we are likely to use on someone better......

[Cappy_Smurf]

Good God, no.

He's still a good player every once in a while, but a lot more often he is awful. Does anybody really believe that the 13th place Lakers would have made him come off the bench if he was still a good player?

There are also the reports of being a toxic vampire in the locker room. Russ is used to being a superstar and being looked up to. Now he's dealing with people telling him he's a bench player and calling him Westbrick. He feels disrespected and is quite bitter with people not treating him like a star. I wouldn't let him anywhere near a young team that is trying to build culture. Going from Conley to Westbrook would be going light years in the wrong direction.

[red4hf]

Has he actually been bought out yet?

[AGE1207]

Has he actually been bought out yet?

Not yet no. Just a matter of time though…and $$$ of course

[Jammer]

Westbrook was never happy coming off the bench,..

Westbrook never learned how to play like a TEAMMATE. Instead, teams were forced to adapt to him: a high volume, low efficiency shooter who is the 2nd best rebounding guard in history and still a pretty good defender.

The Jazz, reportedly, were clear in their 3 options for Westbrook.
1) No guaranteed minutes, no guaranteed role. Do what the coach asks of you or go home. Retains his Bird Rights.
2) Stay home and get paid. Retains his Bird Rights.
3) Get bought out and give up Bird Rights.

At AGE 34, Westbrook should have learned how to adapt his game to support the team around him. That's a place no Westbrook has gone before.

The only reason to stick around is if there is a team willing to pay Westbrook more than the MLE next year.

If Westbrook is willing to play next year for a team with cap room that also wants him, he can be bought out now, sign for the rest of the season for Vet minimum (anywhere) and sign next year to a team with cap room. The only teams forecast to have Cap Room this summer are Houston, San Antonio, Utah, OKC, Detroit, Indiana and Orlando. If Westbrook were to plan on signing with one of those 7 teams, then he can take a buyout now.

If the only teams that appeal to Westbrook require a Sign & Trade (23 Teams) because he expects someone to pay him more than the MLE, than he has to either sit home until season's end or be a good boy and follow the coaching staff's instructions.

I'm pretty sure that the coaching staff doesn't want clunky Westbrook taking shots outside 10 feet. That's for better shooters. But Westbrook can break down a defense with his penetration, and he is a willing passer, so maybe, just maybe he has a place in the second unit. But his attitude historically did not permit him to be an accomodating teammate. And the Jazz don't need a whiny cry-baby (or complainer) in their locker room. If he pulled that stunt more than once, I'd say send him home for good.

Westbrook has historically been a sulker when subbed out of games, no matter how many shots he missed in a row or no matter if he turned the ball over repeatedly with bad passes or bone headed drives.

In the end, his agent will have to ascertain if anyone will want to pay Westbrook more than the MLE next year and whether Westbrook will want to play there. The Jazz don't want some bum in a Sign & Trade, they would rather send Westbrook into a Trade Exception for a Second Round Pick. I honestly don't think that there is a market for him at the salary he's dreaming of. I think at this point he's an MLE or lower guy. But if someone wants to pay him, and he wants to actually play there, then he may stick around.

The 3 Teams reportedly interested in Westbrook right now (Clippers, Bulls, Miami) will not have cap room next year so if he were to go to any of those next year you are talking MLE or Vet Minimum unless the signing team can negotiate a Sign & Trade with Utah. Chicago could have room but if they try to re-sign Vucevic then his cap hold will consume any space they have.

There is probably no better coach than Will Hardy to teach Russell Westbrook what it means to be a Team player. Maybe Erik Spoelstra, but I'd stop there. If Westbrook ends up sticking around, he'll have a great mentor to help him figure out how to fit in.

[AingesBurner]

Westbrook might get some burn with the Sexton injury.

[Jammer]

As AingesBurner just pointed out above, the Sexton injury opens the door for Westbrook to actually play.

SoCalJazzFan and Cappy_Smurf have already highlighted the biggest deterrents to bringing Westbrook on are that he has historically argued with coaches over his role (and not accepted the coaches requests) and also that he has negative energy on the sideline and in the locker room when he's not happy (he's happy when he's the focus). So, there are strong reasons why he might not fit.

Westbrook would have to undergo a personality shift to accommodate teammates and play the right way. It's not impossible, but it's also not likely. Yet, given the opportunity to start, he might be coachable into an effective PG FOR THE JAZZ, but again, he'd need couseling on the side to prevent the negative vibes he's displayed in the past when coaches would try to correct him. It's hard to hold someone accountable to task when they are not receptive to criticism.

I don't rule it out that he sticks around, since he may not get guaranteed minutes anyplace other than Chicago, which already has DeRozan and Zach LaVine who want to handle the ball. Westbrook was never effective playing off ball. That's his problem. As a cutter, he could be deadly, and also a great decoy. Problem is, stars (even former ones) don't like to run thru the lane with their hand up for a pass and not receive the ball. His ego might not let him be a decoy, even though at age 34, that's a role he can actually do.

[red4hf]

The Westbrook era is over before it even began...... Tragic......