NBA News: Tuesday, February 21th, 2023

NBA games aren’t set to start back up until Thursday night, but that doesn’t mean that the teams are taking all of that time off. There have been plenty of NBA news stories that have come out over the last few days, and several players are changing teams. 

Everything is shaping up to be a fun finish in the NBA this season, and here are three of the most recent news stories that might impact upcoming playoff races.

Leonard Back in NBA With Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks have been keeping tabs on Meyers Leonard over the last few months, and the team recently announced that a deal has been reached. Leonard is signing a 10-day contract with the Bucks, but both sides are hopeful that this deal lasts the rest of the year. 

Leonard hasn’t played in the NBA since January 2021 after he got caught using an antisemitic slur while playing a video game. He also had to do some rehab on a right leg injury, but most teams in the league have been unwilling to give him a shot. 

The Bucks brought Leonard in for a workout back in January, and they have been in contact with his camp for a few months. The 30-year-old has averaged 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game during his NBA career and has also appeared in more than 20 playoff games. 

Milwaukee has been looking for a veteran with some playoff experience, and Leonard is a player that fits that requirement.

Westbrook Joins Clippers

Russell Westbrook has decided where he plans to finish out the NBA season, and he’s not leaving the city in which he started it. Westbrook’s agent announced that he plans to join the LA Clippers, creating a “Big Three” with that team. 

The Los Angeles Lakers traded Westbrook to the Utah Jazz in a big trade, but he had the rest of his contract bought out by the team. Utah then officially waived him on Monday, allowing him the chance to choose whatever team he wanted to play for. 

Westbrook will be joining former teammate Paul George, and that played into his decision when picking a team. The Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards were also hoping to land the veteran guard, but Westbrook chose the team with the best playoff chances.

Bulls Sign Hometown Player

The Chicago Bulls might have missed out on signing Russell Westbrook, but they are set to add a veteran guard for a push to the playoffs. Patrick Beverley is in the process of reaching a deal with the Bulls with the hope of helping the team get to the postseason. 

Beverley played high school basketball in the city of Chicago, and he has the ability to bring some toughness to the Bulls. The Los Angeles Lakers traded Beverley to the Orlando Magic this season, and he was promptly bought out by the team. 

Chicago will enter Thursday night in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Toronto Raptors by just two games for the final spot in the tournament.

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All Media on this page by Associated Press.