West Notes: Clippers, Russell Westbrook, Grizzlies, Rockets

Clippers

As we reported on Hoops Wire in May, it appears the Clippers and veteran guard Russell Westbrook are headed for a split.

The latest comes from Shams Charania of The Athletic, who wrote that the sides “plan to part ways this offseason, and the franchise continues to discuss trades for the former NBA MVP.”‘

Westbrook has repeatedly been linked to the Nuggets, and one source told Hoops Wire that Denver’s interest is “strong.” Some around the league believe Westbrook will be headed to Denver, and it’s more a matter of when than if.

Westbrook is coming off a season in which he averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 45.4% from the field and 27.3% on 3-pointers. It’s that 3-point percentage that likely has teams other than the Nuggets backing off.

• Meanwhile, the Clippers reportedly are interested in free agent point guard Tyus Jones, who spent last season as the starter with the Wizards. We have that full story here.
• All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard and Team USA parted ways, and that could be because Leonard is dealing with chronic knee soreness. More here.

Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are attempting to maintain roster flexibility this summer, leaving the door open for potential moves during training camp.

Part of their future transactions could involve bringing back shooting guard Luke Kennard, currently an unrestricted free agent.

“The Grizzlies’ roster isn’t a complicated one to solve at this point,” wrote Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “Even though they are interested in bringing Kennard back, multiple league sources who requested anonymity have told The Commercial Appeal that Memphis wants to keep its 15th roster spot open for flexibility.”

• The Grizzlies very well could also be dangling forward Ziaire Williams in trade talks, Cole added, citing a report from The Athletic.
• A recent report suggested the Rockets were interested in acquiring Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart, but it doesn’t seem as if a deal is in the works.

Rockets

The Rockets are signing former Nebraska forward Jack McVeigh to a two-way contract. McVeigh is most recently of Australia’s National Basketball League.

“Better than Bronny James,” one opposing scout half-jokingly told Hoops Wire of McVeigh.

• No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard is showing out perhaps better than some expected at the NBA Summer League. “Sheppard’s ability to get where he wants with the ball and create separation with a hard crossover has stood out,” wrote Kevin Pelton of ESPN. “We already knew Sheppard was a powerful shooter. Defensively, Sheppard’s active hands constantly generate deflections. Sheppard had three blocks Friday and racked up a pair of pick-six steals Sunday.”