Russell Westbrook Traded to Jazz, Won’t Play

Russell Westbrook has been traded yet again.

This marks the fifth time in five years that he’s been moved, and for the second time in 17 months, he found himself with the Utah Jazz. But just like before, he won’t be playing any games for them due to a contract buyout.

Westbrook is expected to finalize a buyout with the Jazz and then join the Denver Nuggets after clearing waivers.

Westbrook is expected to agree on a contract buyout with the Jazz, clearing the way for him to eventually join the Denver Nuggets after clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn)

The Jazz were always open to facilitating Kris Dunn’s move to the Clippers. Now it’s official: Westbrook briefly becomes a Jazz player once more. What an odd situation…

The Jazz were always willing to help facilitate Kris Dunn to the Clippers, as previously reported. Now this part of it becomes official, as Westbrook briefly becomes a member of the Jazz for a second time. What a time….

— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba)

Russell Westbrook:
2 — Times traded to the Jazz
0 — Games played for the Jazz
Utah legend.

Russell Westbrook:

2 — Times traded to the Jazz
0 — Games played for the Jazz

Utah legend.

— StatMuse (@statmuse)

Westbrook’s Journey So Far:

Drafted by Seattle SuperSonics in 2008, which later became Oklahoma City Thunder, Westbrook spent 11 seasons there. He racked up eight All-Star honors and won MVP in 2016-17. He led in assists and scoring twice each and even made it to one NBA Finals.

After being traded to Houston Rockets on July 16, 2019, he reunited with James Harden but only stayed for one season. Then came Washington Wizards on December 2, 2020, where he was swapped for John Wall.

Fans might think it’s wild how many teams he’s been on lately!

In Washington, he led the league in assists again (11.7 per game). Then came another big move: Los Angeles Lakers on August 6, 2021. He teamed up with LeBron James but stayed only one-and-a-half seasons.

His latest trade before Thursday had him initially land with Utah Jazz on February 9, 2023—waived just days later without playing a game.

On February 22 of that year, he joined Los Angeles Clippers and reunited with Paul George and later Harden when Harden was traded there on November 1, 2023.

Given his past experiences in Utah, maybe it’s good news that Delta Center won’t be his home court after all.

What do you think about all these trades?