Russell Westbrook has selected one of the most prominent agents in professional sports as his new representative.
Westbrook has signed with Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets.
Westbrook parted ways with Thad Foucher last month. Foucher, who had represented Westbrook since he entered the league in 2008, cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason.
Westbrook will be a free agent after next season. He opted in to the final year of his current contract at a $47MM price tag this summer. There remains endless speculation about whether he’ll play for the Lakers next season.
The Nets have been mentioned as a possible destination if they deal Kyrie Irving to the West Coast. The Jazz, Knicks and Pacers have also reportedly shown interest in picking up Westbrook’s contract with assets attached.
Schwartz has a long list of NBA clients, including two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, John Collins, Cade Cunningham, Tyler Herro, Brandon Ingram, Kevin Love, CJ McCollum, Khris Middleton, Jamal Murray and Ricky Rubio.
Not even sure what he needs an agent for at this point. Hell get 47 million from the lakers (or whoever) and then league minimum from here out. He could negotiate that himself.
@afsoon
Even with his faults he’s absolutely getting more than minimum. Someone will try and fix him at 3/$30 or something.
Nope! Afsooner02 is correct. There is NOTHING to negotiate. He will wrap up this final year and then it will be career over for Russ. I don’t think he plays again after this season. Don’t see him playing for the minimum. Don’t see him accepting a non-starter role on a team other than the Lakers.
Funny how quick the hate train works in here –
I suggested a 2/22 (2xMLE) for the bar for his next contact about 18 months ago in here and everybody thought that was incredibly low and disrespectful
He is not getting any younger though. There is nothing any team can do to help fix his attitude and basketball IQ
He’s still a pretty good player. Just not a star to build around. He’s not worse than a Beverley or something.
It depends
He would sign 4 year $120 million after he were fixed by Coach Ham and Lakers were in NBA Finals
– compare to Chris Paul
He would play in Philippines if he is not fixable
Beverley can play team basketball IN a system and his play is conducive to winning.
Westbrook can pile up counting stats and maybe sell some jerseys but saying he’s not worse than Beverley depends on how much you value wins vs losses. I’d take Beverley.
And Westbrook’s next contract will probably be a 1-year “prove it” type deal. As he gets older maybe he’ll be more open to coming off the bench where his style of ball won’t clash with the starters.
Beverley can shoot and defend. Russ on the other hand cant
When it comes to stats yes! He is better than Beverley. But when it comes to defense and 3 point shooting? Beverley has the edge
Most star athletes still have an agent even after retirement. They handle endorsement deals and such.
How long will Jeff Schwartz last is the new NBA pool today. When Westbrook is a free agent next season and just a few offers comes in how long before he fires Jeff blaming him for the few offers?
IDK he stuck with his 1st agent for 11 years. It’s not like he has a history of switching agents.
I don’t think there is one team who will offer him the vet minimum at the start of next season. It isn’t like he’s going mentor young players and be a bench asset.
I have a feeling that he is gonna end up like Dennis Schroder after his 47 million dollar contract expires.
I think someone will offer him the vet minimum with team option. Just not on a contending team. They wouldnt risk f-ing up team chemistry.
Good for jersey sales (he still has fans apparently) and if he plays well they could trade him or keep him longer cheaply.
With Westbrook
Lakers are 30 win team, imo
He needs 27 shot attempts a game to fix his shooting
33% of team shot attempts
Westbrook’s market is probably more tethered to his (perceived) attitude than his play at this point.
His performance, while deteriorating, is at least still NBA level, it’s just not at the level where it justifies the lack of compromise he demands from a franchise anymore.
I could see him being a mid year signing for a desperate, probably injured team trying to win. Not sure anyone will want to take the locker room risk before the season starts though.