Russell Westbrook's teams: How many teams has Russ played for?

Russell Westbrook's teams: How many teams has Russ played for?

Claudia Kogi
June 10, 2023 at 7:41 AM

Judging from the number of Russell Westbrook's teams, one can agree that he is a highly accomplished professional basketball player. He has won NBA Most Valuable Player awards and earned numerous All-Star selections throughout his career. As one of the most dynamic and explosive players in the league, Westbrook has impacted every team he has played for.

How many teams has russell westbrook played for?
The famous player attends the World Premiere of Sony Pictures Animation's Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse at Regency Village Theatre on 30 May 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Axelle Bauer Griffin
Source: Getty Images

Who is Russell Westbrook? He is an American-based professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association, NBA. A member of the NBA 75th Anniversary team, he is renowned for being a nine-time NBA All-Star and earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, MVP for the 2016/17 season. How has Russell Westbrook's career expanded in every team?

Russell Westbrook's profile and bio summary

Full name

Russell Westbrook

Date of birth

12 November 1988

Age

34 years of age as of June 2023

Place of birth

Long Beach, California, the United States of America

Nationality

American

Ethnicity

Afro-American

Height

6 feet 3 inches or 191 centimetres

Weight

200 pounds or 91 kilograms

Marital status

Married

Wife

Nina Earl

Current team

Los Angeles Clippers

Profession

Professional basketball player

Net worth

Los Angeles Clippers

Social media presence

Instagram, Twitter

How many teams has Russell Westbrook played for?

Aside from the general achievements of his basketball career, most fans need to be aware of the teams Russell Westbrook has played for since he debuted in the basketball arena. As per sources, Sports Brief has compiled a list detailing Russell Westbrook's all-defensive teams.

Russell Westbrook's career in every team
Russell of the LA Clippers sits by the courtside during round one game of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on on 25 April 2023 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Kate Frese
Source: Getty Images

Oklahoma City Thunder (2008 - 2019)

After two years at UCLA, the famous basketball athlete decided to forgo his final two years to enter the 2008 NBA draft. It was only a matter of time before he got selected 4th overall in the 2008 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, which then relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder six days later.

Westbrook's move to Oklahoma City marked a significant turning point for the franchise as his explosive style of play energised both the fans and his teammates. He swiftly established himself as one of the top point guards in the league, earning multiple All-Star selections and even winning an MVP award in 2017.

How many teams has Russell Westbrook played for?
Westbrook (0) of the LA Clippers argues a foul call in front of Bones Hyland (5) during match against the Phoenix Suns on 22 April 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Harry How
Source: Getty Images

Russell played for the Oklahoma City Thunder from when he got drafted in 2008 to 2019 and achieved several milestones, winning award after award. Some of them include,

  • (2011-2013, 2015) NBA All-Star
  • (2017) NBA Most Valuable Player Award
  • (2015, 2016) 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP
  • (2016, 2017) 2× All-NBA First Team
  • (2011–2013, 2015, 2018) 5× All-NBA Second Team
  • (2009) NBA All-Rookie First Team
  • (2015, 2017) 2× NBA scoring champion
  • (2009) 3× NBA assists leader
  • (2008) Third-team All-Pac-10
  • (2008) Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year
  • (2008) Pac-10 All-Defensive Team

Houston Rockets (2019 - 2020)

On 16 July 2019, the basketball player was traded to the Houston Rockets for All-Star Chris Paul during the two protected first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps. The move consequently reunited him with his former teammate James Harden.

The athlete made his Rockets debut in a 117-111 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, leading the team with 24 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists in just 33 minutes of play. By 3 January 2020, Westbrook had already become the third player in the sport's history with 19,000 points, 6,000 rebounds, and 7,000 assists.

Russell later returned to Oklahoma City for the first time, but as a visitor, scoring 34 points, grabbing two rebounds, and passing for five assists on 14-of-26 shooting from the field in a 113 - 92 loss. Even though he spent only a year with the Houston Rockets, his impact was still as immense as if he had played for a decade.

Russell Westbrook's career in every team
LA Clippers player looks on before the game against the Phoenix Suns during Round 1 Game 3 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on 20 April 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Andrew D Bernstein
Source: Getty Images

While in Hoston Rockets, Westbrook also bagged titles.

  • (2019, 2020) 2× All-NBA Third Team
  • (2020) NBA All-Star

Washington Wizards (2020 - 2021)

After a short-lived stint with the Houston Rockets, the basketball player was traded to Washington Wizards in exchange for John Wall. However, their reunion was inevitable as Harden pushed for Westbrook's return to the Rockets. In December 2020, he was reunited with former teammate James Harden again.

The athlete's transition to the Washington Wizards after his stint with the Houston Rockets was short-lived. His magnificent fit with the Wizards seemed questionable from the start, given the team's young core and style of play.

It was only a matter of time before the Washington Wizards got used to him and could not afford to lose him to another team. Below are some of his achievements while on the team.

  • (2020) NBA All-Star
  • (2021) NBA assists leader
Russell Westbrook's all defensive teams
The famous NBA player of the LA Clippers warms up before the game against the Phoenix Suns during Round 1 Game 3 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on 20 April 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Andrew D Bernstein
Source: Getty Images

Los Angeles Lakers (2021 - 2023)

And while the athlete has not so much signed contracts to play for teams, he was once again traded to Los Angeles Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. He made his debut for the team, achieving eight points on 4-of-12 shooting from the field, five rebounds, and three assists in a 121-114 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

On 15 January 2023, the athlete put up 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists off the bench in a 113 - 112 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. He later put up a triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists off the bench in a 128 - 106 win over the Denver Nuggets.

He also became the first athlete in Lakers history to put up multiple triple-doubles off the bench. He averaged 15.9 points, 7.5 assists, and 6.2 rebounds with the Lakers.

Los Angeles Clippers (2023 - present)

The renowned basketball player signed with Los Angeles Clippers on 22 February 2023, had his debut and put up 17 points and 14 assists in a 176 - 175 double overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings.

Russell Westbrook's all defensive teams
LA Clippers' star smiles before the game against the Phoenix Suns during Round 1 game 3 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on 20 April 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Andrew D Bernstein
Source: Getty Images

Since his recent signing, He has been nothing but one of the most decorated players the team has ever seen. He is yet to achieve more awards and honours to his name while in Los Angeles Clippers.

Even though the number of Russell Westbrook's teams seems to be quite a lot already, it does not deter the fact that he is a well-decorated basketball player who is yet to achieve the most in his basketball career. He is renowned for winning MVP awards more than eight times.

READ MORE: Who is the youngest chess grandmaster of all time? A top 10 list

Sports Brief featured the top 10 youngest chess grandmasters in history. The sport has seen twelve, thirteen, and fourteen-year-olds dominate and win titles in the arena. Chess requires hard work, brilliance, and abundant knowledge to succeed.

Abhimanyu Mishra, Sergey Karjakin, and Gukesh Dommaraju are the top recognised chess masters. They won the Grandmasters titles during their teens. So, how did they do it? Find out through the above link.

Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.
Tags
LA Lakers