Russell Westbrook is expected to be bought out of his contract with the Utah Jazz at some point in the coming days.
With free agency on the horizon, the basketball world is pondering the next move for the future Hall of Fame point guard.
According to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Chicago Bulls have emerged as a “frontrunner” to land Westbrook off the buyout market.
“If he gets out into the buyout market, there is significant interest in Westbrook,” Wojnarowski said, via RealGM. “I think one team you got to watch and I think will be a frontrunner are the Chicago Bulls. Billy Donovan certainly coached Westbrook in Oklahoma City. If you go further down his bench, Mo Cheeks, Josh Longstaff… There is a staff of former OKC assistants who all had good relationships and worked well with Westbrook with the Bulls. And you could see how he fits just bringing some energy and fire to that team’s bench.”
Along with the Bulls, the Miami Heat have also been mentioned as a lead candidate to land Westbrook. He’s expected to make a decision between the Bulls and Heat sometime in the next week, per NBA insider Chris B. Haynes.
Russell Westbrook is expected to make his final decision this week between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls, per @ChrisBHaynes
— Die-Hard Chicago Bulls Fans (@DieHardCBfans) February 10, 2023
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Westbrook was sent to Utah in a trade just before last week’s deadline.