Russell Westbrook could make his debut with the Clippers on Friday once he clears waivers, two people with knowledge of the matter said Tuesday.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Westbrook still needs to clear waivers before he can sign with a new team.

The nine-time All-Star was waived by the Utah Jazz on Monday. He is expected to clear waivers today since no team has the salary cap space to take on the remaining $47 million he is owed on his expiring contract.

There is an outside chance Westbrook could practice Thursday if he signs and passes his physical. The Clippers — fourth in the Western Conference with a 33-28 record — host Sacramento on Friday in their first game after the All-Star break.

ESPN was the first to report that Westbrook intended to sign with the Clippers.

The move keeps Westbrook in Los Angeles. He is from the area, was a standout at UCLA and played less than two seasons for the Lakers before being traded to the Jazz on Feb. 10 as part of a three-team deal.

The 15-year veteran is averaging 15.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists in 28.7 minutes per game.

Westbrook would also be reunited with Paul George, his former teammate in Oklahoma City.

Struggling Hawks fire head coach McMillan

The Atlanta Hawks have fired coach Nate McMillan, who was unable to follow up on the success of leading the team to the 2021 Eastern Conference finals.

Hawks general manager Landry Fields announcing the firing on Tuesday night.

The Hawks are 29-30 and eighth in the East this season.

Assistant coach Joe Prunty will serve as interim coach. Prunty joined the Hawks in July 2021 as lead assistant.

McMillan went 99-80 as Atlanta’s coach, including a 27-11 record as interim in the second half of the 2020-21 season. His success that season earned him the full-time position.

Bulls sign Beverley, Ball out for season

The Chicago Bulls signed veteran point guard Patrick Beverley and ruled point guard Lonzo Ball out for the season because of lingering discomfort in his surgically repaired left knee.

The Bulls brought in Beverley to help solidify a position that has been a sore spot all season with Ball recovering from his second left knee surgery in less than a year and his third since entering the NBA in 2017 with the Lakers. The team said Ball’s focus now will be on resolving the discomfort he feels performing “high level basketball-related activities” and making “a full return” for next season.

Beverley, a Chicago product, is a three-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection. He has averaged 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists over 11 seasons with the Houston Rockets, Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Lakers. He averaged 6.4 points in 45 games for the Lakers this season before getting dealt to Orlando, which waived him.

Nets give head coach Vaughn an extension

Jacque Vaughn, who has coached the Brooklyn Nets into playoff position despite the trades of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving during another turbulent season for the franchise, has agreed to a multiyear contract extension.

Vaughn, the former Muir High standout, replaced Steve Nash early in the season and the Nets announced Tuesday they were extending his deal.