I would keep all options open, but I wouldn’t be selling Harden to the highest bidder. Russell Westbrook on the trading block? Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. The slate of two-year contracts added to the roster should give New York plenty of flexibility should the Knicks wish to make a superstar deal. After losing out on Kevin Durant, is adding his former teammate the next best thing for the Knicks? Miami has never been afraid of chasing stars, angling itself for (unsuccessful) runs at Kevin Durant and Chris Paul. There isn’t significant upside in the deal for Oklahoma City on the surface, but Miami can provide a high-floor landing spot if the Thunder are eager for a rebuild. But even if the lights at MSG stay on through April, Westbrook's arrival wouldn't make the Knicks contenders. Does Miami have the assets to land Westbrook? Now, just to be clear, this is a highly unlikely scenario, but one that's been posed nonetheless. Well, OK, it’s not so dramatic. Westbrook and Towns could become one of the league’s most dynamic one-two punches, potentially vaulting the Kentucky product back into the All-NBA discussion. “Westbrook isn’t a good compliment for anyone, in my opinion,” one Eastern Conference coach told HoopsHype. There is a potential pathway to a deal. So where could Westbrook land if Presti pulls the trigger on a second blockbuster move? At times, Westbrook was a dynamic maestro, artfully slicing to the tin and dishing to wide-open teammates. Sure. The team's title window fades by the year, and a Westbrook deal could be the key to a reset. Oklahoma City is now armed with a historic bounty of picks from the Clippers along with promising point guard Shai-Gilgeous Alexander. Friday’s deal marked a step back for the Thunder, but could trigger a full–scale rebuild be on the horizon. The former No. Pat Riley already went star hunting once this summer and landed Jimmy Butler in a trade with Philadelphia. It took the conversation to Twitter with a poll about the Suns potentially dealing their No. It was a tumultuous 2018-19 season for the former MVP. The guard battled a nagging quad injury, which potentially hindered his postseason play. Regardless, that sample size will not have any rivaling organizations persistent on a Westbrook trade this offseason with the guard on the wrong side of 30 and owed $133 million over three years. The Magic aren’t the most exciting location for Westbrook to land, but the two teams do line up well for a potential trade. Last season at this time, there was some speculation about the possibility of a one-for-one deal that would have sent Devin Booker to the Thunder for Westbrook. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. All rights reserved. Boston Celtics: 3 keys to victory over the Miami Heat, Miami Heat: Eastern Finals to reveal levels of rivalry with Boston Celtics, 50 Greatest Players Without a Championship, 50 Greatest Players Not In The Hall of Fame, Most Clutch Player From Each Team’s History, Best Shot Blocker From Each Team’s History. Contention in the Western Conference is unlikely in 2019-20. Although he closed out the season in treacherous fashion, the 2017 league MVP played some of his career-best basketball after the team switched to small-ball pre-pandemic. If Westbrook is tradable, get it done.”. Oklahoma City could eye Jonathan Isaac in a potential deal as well as Aaron Gordon and his contract. Could he pull off another deal for Westbrook? Hard to play with two max guys who need the ball. Westbrook would be a key factor in vaulting Minnesota back into the playoff race in year two of the Ryan Saunders era. He averaged a triple-double last season with 22.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game for the Thunder. Westbrook could take the reins from Day 1 and soar his usage rate close to his MVP levels. Regardless, this eight-game stretch has higher-ups in the NBA talking about Houston moving on from the 31-year-old Westbrook if anyone is willing to take him off their hands. If the George trade is a true indicator the Thunder wish to get younger, Minnesota could be one of their first calls. Transcribed by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype: “I wouldn’t move Harden,” one Eastern Conference general manager told HoopsHype. The Knicks have the assets for a potential deal, even if they have to wait until December or February’s trade deadline. “He has to be the main guy. But this isn't the first time the Suns have been linked to a trade with Oklahoma City for Westbrook. The Knicks could also eventually dangle their recent free–agent acquisitions including Julius Randle and Bobby Portis. “He’s still so good, and they’re too old right now to just start a rebuild unless you’re getting a Jayson Tatum or Luka Doncic to rebuild around. A potential deal would be simple. Here are five teams that make sense as potential destinations for the former MVP. Maybe it’s possible, but it seems like two good players instead of Westbrook would be better the way they play.”. Westbrook shot just 36% from the field and 32.4% from three in the postseason as the Thunder lost to the Blazers in five games, marking a third straight first-round exit for Oklahoma City. Warts and all, Westbrook is still among the league’s top point guards, and an absolute menace when harnessed correctly. If this is indeed the case for the Rockets, the only thing they can do is hope for a rejuvenated Westbrook next year, which might not be too far-fetched. Russell Westbrook and the Thunder are reportedly exploring trade options after Paul George's exit. The Celtics could offer a potential deal around Gordon Hayward and Jaylen Brown, choosing to pair Westbrook with the recently acquired Kemba Walker. As much as the Rockets could benefit from getting Westbrook’s $133 million salary over the next three seasons off the books, it is far easier said than done. Something else to keep an eye on: some agents who represent top point guard free agents believe the Knicks would poke around on a potential Russell Westbrook trade if … After this up and down season, Westbrook’s once sky-high value has certainly slimmed down significantly, if there even is any. Russell Westbrook Corey Sipkin Jeff Van Gundy, who still lives in Houston, has interviewed for the Rockets job , looming as a top candidate … Despite their flaws, Harden and Westbrook appear complacent with Houston’s odds of running it back and competing next season. All Rights Reserved. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. He needs the ball. The Paul George era in Oklahoma City is over. Andrew Wiggins could still be a franchise building block despite a disappointing 2018-19 campaign and salary matching wouldn’t be as tricky with Minnesota as other teams. Maybe not, but this could be the move to save face for James Dolan and Co. at Madison Square Garden. Markelle Fultz still needs to prove he’s a viable NBA player before discussing any stolen minutes, and the rest of the Orlando’s roster is stacked with wings and a glut of bigs. Orlando has been searching for a point guard for the last half decade and D.J. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA draft, TJ Warren and Tyler Johnson as the main assets in a trade to acquire Westbrook. Here are five teams that make sense as potential destinations for the former MVP. Westbrook recently had procedures for a torn ligament in a finger on his left hand and an elective arthroscopic procedure on his right knee, but is expected to return to basketball activities in approximately three weeks. The playoffs were a different story. Miami could send a package centered around Bam Adebayo and Justise Winslow to Oklahoma City, and Goran Dragic could also be on the move granted the Thunder wish to acquire an aging point guard (albeit one on an expiring deal). Westbrook lifts the Celtics' ceiling back into the Finals conversation while Walker’s limitations will likely end the Cs’ season by mid-May. It seems that running it back with the same small-ball approach next season is Houston’s only move, barring a monumental change. An MVP winner in 2017, Westbrook now finds himself as potentially the most untradable player in the NBA, and his hefty contract apparently just scratches the surface of reasons why. In the last two years, they easily could have won it all, so I don’t think it’s fair to panic if they lose. Westbrook could be the new face of South Beach. He’s an ideal face of the franchise off the floor, and a player who will cost roughly $10 million less than Westbrook each year of their respective deals. Your privacy is safe with us. He also tested positive for COVID-19 before joining the Rockets in the NBA bubble. Perhaps he could channel his 2016-17 form and carry the Knicks to the playoffs; a weakened East could help his campaign. He could still fetch a serious haul. Westbrook is coming off an abysmal playoff run with the team, where he averaged just 17.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, shooting just 40.6 percent from the field and a disastrous 24.2 percent from 3-point range. Or they could wait until 2020 and deal for Westbrook as an upgrade over Walker. If a new era looms, Walker is be a strong candidate to be Oklahoma City’s bedrock. It’s unclear whether adding Westbrook would result any notable success in New York. Transcribed by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype: Detroit Pistons: Blake Griffin for Russell Westbrook is a bad trade that must happen, Report: City could pursue Gimenez, Diego Carlos if Koulibaly bid fails, Houston Rockets: Russell Westbrook's shooting struggles are breathtaking, The Houston Rockets need Russell Westbrook to meet them in the middle, NBA Playoffs: Must-read storylines between the Rockets vs Lakers. swapping Isaiah Thomas for Kyrie Irving in 2017. In 23 games before the season halted in March, Westbrook averaged 31.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 52.7 percent from the field. Now, if there’s a great deal out there, that’s a different story, but I still think it’s worth riding out one more year. Is there reason for Oklahoma City to contemplate such a deal? Build your custom FanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis on Houston Rockets and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. The franchise would likely be best served preaching patience with its young core, putting its entire energy into R.J. Barrett and other prospects. Russell Westbrook is a former NBA MVP and a triple-double machine. © 2020 ABG-SI LLC. He does has a massive contract (he was the second highest paid player in the NBA this season at $35.7 million). New York could offer aspects of their attempted deal for Anthony Davis, including Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina, Mitchell Robinson and the first–round picks acquired from Dallas in the Kristaps Porzingis trade. © 2020 www.azcentral.com. Walker could add a dose of stability amid a rebuild, steadying the ship similar to his time in Charlotte. landed Jimmy Butler in a trade with Philadelphia. Powered by Minute Media © 2020 All Rights Reserved. Minnesota didn’t have a proper pick-and-roll partner for Towns as Derrick Rose largely operated as a one-man band. He’s not an off-ball player. Westbrook might not be thrilled in Orlando, but the Thunder could stock additional young assets and picks if the franchise chooses to hit the reset button. Westbrook can cause his share of head aches, while Walker is a perfect soldier. Russell Westbrook on the Suns?
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