In trading for Russell Westbrook last February, the Utah Jazz allowed him to move past his situation with the Los Angeles Lakers. Westbrook was bought out and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.

“I’m grateful for them just because — for many reasons,” said Westbrook.

Westbrook “absolutely” gave serious consideration to remaining with the Jazz.

“I would have come in and did whatever they asked me to do,” Westbrook said. “I told them I could be a mentor. Whatever I needed to do to help, I would have done it. Like always I do whatever is best for the team. If that’s to come and sit my ass there in street clothes and make sure I help the young guys, I’ll do that.”

Westbrook remained in Los Angeles after the trade. Westbrook wanted to join a playoff contender where he would also be certain to receive minutes. The Jazz were prioritizing the development of younger players, but they told Westbrook they would welcome him if he chose to report. 

“I just wanted to make sure that he knew how much I respect him as a player,” Will Hardy said. “And that whatever the decision ends up being, that he’s always welcome here with me. I’ve had a lot of respect for him for a long time. I’ve been on staffs in San Antonio in particular where we played Oklahoma City in the playoffs a lot, so I’ve seen Russell up close and personal. You know, his reputation speaks for itself.

“And so as a coach, it was really just about opening the line of communication that if there was anything that he needed from me, any conversations that he wanted to have, any questions he had about the situation here in terms of the team day to day, that I was available.”