The Official NBA Season Thread: Free Agency Day

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It’s one thing when he’s cooked my team two times this week. I like Brunson and should be repping the Knicks in SL,UT
 



When the Utah Jazz traded for guard Russell Westbrook on Wednesday afternoon, the prevailing notion was that Utah would swiftly move to buy Westbrook out, paving the way for him to hit unrestricted agency and sign with any team.

That may yet happen. But as we head into the weekend, it’s not quite the layup that it seemed to be a few days ago.

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The Jazz and Westbrook have met and had multiple productive discussions surrounding his impending future as a member of the Jazz organization. As the Jazz start a four-game road trip on Friday night in Toronto against the Raptors, there hasn’t been a decision made concerning Westbrook. But Westbrook, who came to the Jazz from the Lakers and has had a Hall of Fame career, has expressed a willingness to stay in Utah and put on a uniform.

“We are open to every possibility,” Jazz general manager Justin Zanik said on Friday afternoon.

The Jazz have made it a point to be transparent on where they are as an organization, and to put the proverbial ball in Westbrook’s court. They respect what Westbrook has been able to accomplish as a player. So in meetings with his representation, including agent Jeff Schwartz, they wanted to give Westbrook a say and some control over what happens next in his process as a player.

So, what does this mean? The Jazz let Westbrook and his camp know that playing time could be sporadic if he does indeed decide to play for the franchise. Utah just traded away Malik Beasley, Mike Conley and Jarred Vanderbilt. They did so in part because they needed to clear playing time to find out what they have in some of their younger players. At the point guard spot, Westbrook’s dominant position, the Jazz are going to give heavy minutes to Collin Sexton and Talen Horton-Tucker going forward.

And what that means is Westbrook, if he decides to play with the Jazz, may actually accrue some DNP’s along the way for the remainder of the season. And that can be a tough spot for a veteran as proud as Westbrook to be in. What Westbrook and his representation have appreciated is the fact that the Jazz have been upfront and honest about where they are as a team and as an organization. Following the trade deadline, this is a team that’s going to invest in its younger players. That’s the reality of it.

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So, these are Westbrook’s choices as of Friday afternoon. He can decide to play with the Jazz, which could mean the least amount of minutes he’s played in his NBA career. The Jazz are happy with keeping him on the roster and Westbrook simply going home. There won’t be any hard feelings either way, if Westbrook chooses that route. The Jazz would completely understand and they would support his decision.

The pros of that decision for Westbrook are multiple. Obviously, he would still get paid his full contract. The Jazz would also accrue Westbrook’s bird rights over the summer, which would then open the sign and trade route, possibly benefitting both parties. But Westbrook, for how ugly his tenure with the Lakers ended earlier in the week, had a good season. He’s shown a willingness to come off the bench. He’s largely proven to have enough talent and ability to be an NBA player after this current contract expires, and he’s shown a willingness to do what his team asks of him. So, if he doesn’t play another game this season, general managers at free agency time this summer will remember what he’s done to this point. If he plays for the Jazz, and he isn’t in the rotation every night, that could have the ability to skew things for him in that manner.

Westbrook could alternatively seek the buyout that’s been reported to be imminent, and give some money back on his contract. And then he would be free to sign with any team. Already there are reports of other teams who are willing to sign the high-octane guard. That would give Westbrook the runway to sign with a team that better fits his timeline of wanting to play for a championship contender.

The Jazz are not placing a deadline on a decision from Westbrook, league sources tell The Athletic. That decision could come at any time. But that decision is his to make. The Jazz will move forward accordingly when Westbrook makes his choice.

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A natural deadline of March 1 does exist, so to speak. That’s the NBA’s deadline to be on a roster in order to be able to participate in the postseason. But the Jazz are currently on a four-game trip that goes through Toronto, New York, Indiana and Memphis. After that is All-Star weekend. And after that, the Jazz have a few games before March 1. So, that should presumably give Westbrook enough time to weigh the pros and cons of whatever he wants to do.

The Jazz have been happy that the two sides have been so amicable at this point, and happy with Westbrook’s professionalism. Now, the two sides just have to work through the entire process until the process comes to a conclusion, whichever conclusion that is.

Required reading
Lakers acquire D’Angelo Russell, trade Russell Westbrook to Utah in 3-team deal
A Lakers dream turned to nightmare: Inside the ‘toxic’ end of the Russell Westbrook era
(Photo: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)
 
hes probably gonna go to where hes gonna start probably would be chicago or miami but his best bet is to go to chicago. dont think he'd mesh with haslem
 
Much like the dallas cowgirls (like they did with TO), after the suckafied moves using Westbrook as a scapegoat, passive aggressive remarks, but still want/expect everyone to like you by the fakers, lebron and the toxic media (here's looking at you espn everyone acting like skip ballsless, EVEN THE BROTHAS) riding ol boy's jock, I no longer respect them and are highly annoyed by them now. Like seriously people mad that Westbrook wanted to win the game lebron so called broke the record. If Jordan or Magic broke the record and loss, they'd be pissed! That is one huge difference as to why lebron will NEVER be the goat!
💯☝🏽
 
With everything Russ went through mentally the past year and half, maybe he just goes home to refocus himself and play again next year.

He can get a contract and play off the bench again.
 
ESPN tonight. :pimp:.

If y'all ain't getting some P or just smoking/drinking something tonight I hope they put on a show tonight.
 
is it surprising this shady medical **** is being brought to you by the franchise of Greg Oden and Brandon Roy
 
With everything Russ went through mentally the past year and half, maybe he just goes home to refocus himself and play again next year.

He can get a contract and play off the bench again.
I think playing with the Bulls would also be a restorative experience for him, which says a lot about the state of that team. :lol:
 
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