- Russell Westbrook has chosen to sign with the L.A. Clippers after he was officially waived by the Utah Jazz on Monday afternoon.
- The Clippers currently sit in 4th place in the Western Conference team standings but could still go up as high as no. 2.
- L.A.’s title odds have shortened to as low as +900 at the online sportsbook Bovada.
All eyes are on the NBA futures odds boards following Russell Westbrook’s decision to sign with the L.A. Clippers after he was officially waived by the Utah Jazz on Monday afternoon.
Utah acquired Westbrook from the Lakers at the trade deadline, but Jazz CEO Danny Ainge told Russell that they were prioritizing playing their younger players, which meant that the veteran star wasn’t going to get much playing time.
With an uncertain tenure, Westbrook and the Jazz worked towards a buyout. That process was finalized on Monday and Westbrook is free to join any contender he chooses. Russ decided to return to the same city he was just traded from, Los Angeles, but to the Clippers and not a reunion with the Lakers.
We have waived guard Russell Westbrook.https://t.co/VT9h5ocrtq#TakeNote
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 20, 2023
Clippers Odds After Westbrook News
The Clippers currently have the 5th best odds to win the 2023 NBA Championship at the online sportsbook BetOnline. At +1200, they are tied with the Golden State Warriors.
Only the Boston Celtics (+325), Phoenix Suns (+450), Milwaukee Bucks (+525), and Denver Nuggets (+750) have better odds than L.A. The Clippers were at +1400 at the sportsbook before the trade deadline.
L.A. is also 5th at Bet365 US but their odds there have shortened to +1000. The Clippers’ title odds are even shorter at MyBookie.ag where they have breached the +1000 level at +980 odds. The shortest 2023 NBA championship odds for the L.A. Clippers are at Bovada where they have moved to +900.
The Clippers also have the third-best odds to win the Western Conference at +600 via BetOnline and BetUS, +475 at Bet365, and +450 via Bovada. Los Angeles is also closing in on the Phoenix Suns (-170) at +325 odds via BetOnline to win the Pacific Division. That gap is even closer at Bovada where the Suns are at -140 and the Clippers are now at +250.
Latest Western Conference Team Standings
Los Angeles currently sits 4th in the latest Western Conference team standings with a 33-28 SU record.
Although they are 9 games behind the West leaders Denver Nuggets, the Clippers are just one game behind the 3rd seeded Sacramento Kings and only four off the 2nd seeded Memphis Grizzlies. With still more than 20 games left to play, there’s a possibility that the Clippers could move up the ladder.
But the issue for the Clippers is that they have the toughest remaining schedule in the entire Western Conference. L.A.’s remaining 21 opponents have an aggregate 2022-23 winning percentage of .523.
However, this schedule includes one game versus the Nuggets, three against the Grizzlies, and two opposite the Kings. This means that, if they can take care of business, the Clippers can go as high as number 2 at the end of the regular season.
Clippers Need Help at the Point Guard Position
Westbrook heads to the Clippers averaging 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.0 steals per game in 52 games played for the Los Angeles Lakers this season.
49 of those games were played with Westbrook coming off the bench as he was a Sixth Man of the Year betting favorite for most of the season.
Russ started the year as the team’s starting point guard but after just 3 starts, he was asked to come off the bench by head coach Darvin Ham. Westbrook provided the Lakers the spark off the bench but the team continued to struggle due to injuries and chemistry issues.
The Clippers are in need of help at the point guard position. The team acquired Bones Hyland and Eric Gordon at the trade deadline to go along with incumbent Terance Mann who is averaging just 2.2 assists per game. Westbrook would provide stability at the point guard position, while giving the Clips more depth and flexibility at the guard spot.
Paul George wants Clippers to sign Russell Westbrook if veteran point guard is bought out: 'We're all for it'https://t.co/xcNDIGETeA
— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) February 11, 2023
Paul George Campaigned For Westbrook
By joining the Clippers, Westbrook will be reunited with superstar Paul George whom he played with for two seasons in Oklahoma. George was traded to the Thunder one season before he became a free agent.
PG shocked the world when he decided to stay in OKC and sign a contract extension, but delivered another surprise when he asked to be traded to the Clippers one season later.
Westbrook also left OKC the same offseason that Paul George departed. However, while PG has settled down in Los Angeles, Westbrook played with four different teams in the last four years. Russ spent one season in Houston, one in OKC, one and a half with the Lakers, and now he’s with the Clippers.
The Clips gained interest in Westbrook after coach Ty Lue and President Lawrence Frank held several meetings with the 2017 NBA MVP. According to a report from ESPN, the parties discussed Westbrook’s willingness to fit into a clear and specific role with the Clippers built around his playmaking, rebounding, and toughness.
Russ also talked to the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, and Miami Het prior to deciding to play for the Clippers. Westbrook picked the Clippers because he felt it would give him the best chance at chasing an NBA championship.
