Russell Westbrook has undergone one of the most incredible transitions in an NBA career that we have ever seen. He was one of the most dominant point guards of all time in his prime, making the NBA Finals in 2012. Alongside Kevin Durant, Westbrook was the man to help make the Oklahoma City Thunder a dominant team in the Western Conference.
Even when Durant departed to go to Golden State, Westbrook ended up winning an MVP award by being the first player to average a triple-double since Oscar Robertson. Of course, the point guard would go on to average triple-doubles 3 more times. But since arriving in Los Angeles with the Lakers, his stock has dropped dramatically.
He couldn’t get along with LeBron James on the court, has failed to add a three-point shot (under 30% for two straight seasons), and is still a turnover-prone point guard (at least 3.5 TOV the last two seasons). No doubt, Westbrook is no longer a star player, although he was in the running for 6th Man of the Year this season (15.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 7.5 APG).
Finally, the Lakers have parted ways with the disgruntled point guard in a deal that will gift Los Angeles a 26-year-old point guard in D’Angelo Russell, who shoots a career 36.0% from deep, and two other solid role players in Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt. Despite all the criticism of the Lakers organization, they got a great deal over the line.
With Russell Westbrook heading to the Utah Jazz, where he will likely be bought out, here are the best destinations for the former All-Star point guard, who opponents used to fear on the court. Hopefully, Westbrook can return to star status with any of these teams and prove he isn’t washed up and ready to compete for an NBA title.
5. Phoenix Suns
Kevin Durant is on the Phoenix Suns, and it would be a fairytale bromance story if he happens to reunite with his former point guard before their careers are up. Now, there was bad blood between Durant and Westbrook when the former left the point guard by himself in Oklahoma City years ago.
But they have since reconciled, and both players want to win an NBA championship as soon as possible. Durant might be curious to add Russell Westbrook to the Phoenix Suns if the point guard is happy to continue being a 6th man. He will prosper as Chris Paul’s backup because he can control the second unit and be allowed to prove he can still play at a high level.
Kevin couldn’t win with Russ as his primary point guard, but he can certainly win with him as a 6th man. Phoenix lost three valuable rotation pieces in the Kevin Durant trade, as Jae Crowder, Cam Johnson, and Mikal Bridges are no longer on the team. Since Crowder wasn’t available all year, adding Westbrook will bring energy to become a replacement for the extra man lost.
4. Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls did not move either DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine before the trade deadline. It seems that the Bulls management believes this team can compete for a championship, even if they finished 6th in the Eastern Conference last year and are currently 9th this season and under .500. For whatever reason, Chicago believes they have the talent to compete.
If they manage to add Russell Westbrook as a free agent, their lineup will look pretty formidable on paper. Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic are all All-Stars or former All-Stars that can score the ball and impact the game. Of course, if Lonzo Ball can somehow get healthy and Alex Caruso gets to his best, the Bulls might be onto something in the East.
The question is: will Russell Westbrook be sold on Chicago? The Bulls have two primary scoring options already, but Russ might want to become an assist leader and feed Vucevic instead of being a scorer. Whether he starts or comes off the bench for Lonzo Ball or Alex Caruso can be discussed, but it is assumed that Russ resumes his starting position if he wants to be a Chicago Bull.
3. Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn might be one of the biggest losers in trade deadline history. They have had a superteam over the past two seasons and have nothing to show for it. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving had James Harden and Ben Simmons beside them at one point but now are on different teams. How could the Nets fail to win a championship with such talented players?
With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both gone, only Ben Simmons remains alongside Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and Cam Thomas. To prevent a massive drop in their record, as the Nets are currently 32-22, they might go after Russell Westbrook to show their fanbase that they won’t start tanking for no reason. After all, how disappointing would it be if a title contender ended up in the lottery?
Westbrook’s experience will also help Brooklyn’s youngsters learn how to compete. Perhaps most importantly, social media memes will be on fire all year long, with Westbrook and Simmons together shooting bricks. Russell Westbrook and Ben Simmons absolutely don’t fit together theoretically, but at least the Nets remain somewhat relevant and don’t become too much of an embarrassing basketball team.
2. Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have fallen hard after coming within one game of the NBA Finals last year. They are currently 6th in the Eastern Conference with a 30-25 record and sports elite two-way players such as Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo while Tyler Herro continues his scoring consistency (20.3 PPG). But Miami needs more to actually compete with the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Philadelphia 76ers.
As great as Jimmy Butler is, he is not Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, or Joel Embiid. With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving playing in the West, it is time for the Heat to go all-in and try to be better than they are. Westbrook can fit in the Miami Heat culture because even at 34 years old, he competes hard and doesn’t back down from any challenge. Of course, Westbrook might have some interest in the Miami Heat organization, and it could be reciprocal.
The point guard’s athleticism is still somewhat there, and he can be an energizer for the Heat when he comes off the bench. Kyle Lowry will start as a more controlled playmaker, but Russ can be the designated hitter as a backup. Will there be any doubts that Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat faithful will absolutely love the way Russell Westbrook approaches the game with a no-holds-barred attitude? Perhaps Eric Spoelstra can do some magic and actually help control Westbrook to cut down on his turnovers.
1. Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers want to win an NBA championship at all costs. They stand 6th in the Western Conference with a 31-27 record despite Kawhi Leonard and Paul George missing significant time so far. They also added talented two-way wing Eric Gordon, who can provide depth, and traded away Reggie Jackson and John Wall.
Clearly, there is an opening for Russell Westbrook, who could be the missing piece for the Clippers in the Western Conference. The Clippers need a playmaker with experience, and while Russ is not the calmest player on the court and is the complete opposite of Kawhi Leonard, he can provide experience and playmaking better than what they had before.
As reported by Ramona Shelburne, Paul George is recruiting his former teammate. Remember, George had the best season of his career in 2019, with Westbrook feeding him the ball. George averaged 28.0 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 4.1 APG, and 2.2 SPG during that year, and finished 3rd in the MVP race.
With Westbrook in Los Angeles again, this time with the Clippers, the point guard can fire back at all the critics that shrouded him in hate from his time with the Lakers. Westbrook’s play was not great with the Lakers, but he was easily made the scapegoat when there was more than one problem with the team. Westbrook can join a deep Clippers roster that has Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac, Robert Covington, Eric Gordon, Mason Plummer, and Terance Mann to make a push in the Western Conference.
Source: fadeawayworld
