Utah Jazz gives Russell Westbrook an opportunity to find a new destination
According to the prestigious ESPN journalist Adrian Wojnarowski, the Utah Jazz has allowed Russell Westbrook to talk and negotiate with the teams that are pursuing him in the transfer market.
Wojnarowski told SportsCenter that Westbrook and his agent spoke to officials from the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Washington Wizards.
Despite being given the green light, Russell Westbrook is unlikely to decide on a new stop anytime soon. A few days ago, ESPN said Westbrook would spend the All-Star vacation to be with his family and think more about the future.
The Utah Jazz were reportedly content to keep Westbrook on the roster, but they could not guarantee him a fixed on-field role or specific playing time.
Ultimately, the two sides will probably liquidate the contract and allow Russ to find a new place. But the problem for Westbrook is that his form has dropped so quickly that the possibility of getting into a Playoffs team has not been determined.
The Athletic's Shams Charania shared on television on February 15 that the interest of the teams for Russ is not high at this time.
Last summer, Westbrook and longtime agent Thad Foucher went their separate ways. The hitch is that Foucher believes the 2016-17 MVP should stay with the Los Angeles Lakers and adapt to how head coach Darvin Ham intends to use him.
Foucher was concerned that Westbrook would be immediately liquidated if he were traded to another team, knowing that this would be the starting point for Russell's decline in value.
Two good examples of Thad Foucher's thinking are Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond. After being liquidated and signed with a new team, both had to play on small contracts, only guaranteed to be signed every year.
It's not hard to see how Westbrook has fallen in form over the last 2-3 years, especially in terms of finish efficiency and turnover.
Maybe he will decide to stay at the Utah Jazz and prove his worth once again. But in general, the future of this 9-time All-Star defender is still relatively uncertain and unpredictable.
