Where Is Russell Westbrook Going To Be Traded?
There have been a lot of reports that former MVP Russell Westbrook is done with the Rockets after just one season. Westbrook isn’t exactly a player that gets huge amounts of success where-ever he goes, but he is an All-Star and a big market player. And a few teams have reportedly been in the hunt for Westbrook. So where is Westbrook going?
(*Note: This is if he does get traded. There is still a chance that he doesn’t get traded*).
The Rockets crashed and burned in the playoffs, mainly due to Westbrook and his inability to shoot the ball. Now Westbrook is demanding a trade, which is baffling, but whatever. Some places like New York, LA, and Milwaukee have been thrown around as possible landing spots for the former MVP. I’m going to go over possible trades for Westbrook and what would happen if he ended up leaving Houston.
Westbrook to the Milwaukee Bucks
One of the teams that Westbrook is rumored to go to. The Bucks needs some better guard play than Eric Bledsoe and George Hill. But while Westbrook gives the Bucks more star-power alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, he isn’t a great fit. The Bucks need a lot more shooting shot-creators, and Westbrook is the opposite.
And the Rockets likely won’t be getting much in return. The Bucks don’t have a lot of young talent, and I doubt that the Rockets will be getting anything worth their while with this trade.
The Rockets are obviously trying to pull a OKC and get as many assets as possible. The Rockets are obviously needing some young talent and picks because as of right now they don’t have much of that. But the Bucks don’t need Westbrook’s services because it doesn’t make much sense for their offense and the Bucks don’t have anything worthwhile for the rebuilding Bucks.
Westbrook To The Clippers
Another team that Westbrook is rumored to be going to is the LA Clippers. The Clippers have Kawhi and Westbrook’s former teammate in PG-13. They are a very good team, but one of their weaknesses is having a true point guard that can run the offense. Patrick Beverley is limited on offense and Lou Williams is more of a true scorer than a pass-first type of guy.
So while the Clippers could benefit from somebody like Westbrook, they could also not use somebody like him. Westbrook limits spacing and is a black hole on offense. The Clippers already have offense handled, and they can find a much better and cheaper option to be their true point guard.
And even if the Clippers wanted Westbrook, the Clippers have nothing of worth for Houston. Like I said earlier, the Rockets need some first round picks, and the Clippers have them all up until 2026. So the Clippers don’t have that many useful assets for the Rockets. Again, the Rockets are trying to fleece somebody for Westbrook while his asking price is still very high. And trying to trade him to the Clippers, a team who is in win-now mode and has not much of a future, isn’t very smart.
Westbrook To The Lakers
Another place that the former MVP is rumored to be heading to the other LA team, the reigning champion LA Lakers. But again, the Rockets won’t get much. The Lakers don’t have first round picks for the next couple of years as they traded for AD. The Lakers already have their star duo, and I don’t think that the Lakers want Westbrook, or that the Rockets can get anything because they’re not getting AD or Lebron in a trade for obvious reasons.
I don’t know where this rumor came from, I just kind of saw it. I doubt that this will ever happen, but hey a person can have his dreams.
Westbrook To The Knicks
Now this is one that I see happening. The Knicks can’t seem to make a decision for themselves. Instead of getting Zion, KD, and Kyrie, the Knicks had to settle for Julius Randle and Bobby Portis. The Knicks finally made a good choice by hiring Tom Thibodeau as their coach, a guy who can make the young Knicks work hard and develop. But the Knicks could use a star player like Westbrook.
The Knicks have the 8th pick in this draft, along with pieces like Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina, and Dennis Smith Jr. The Knicks can definitely make some moves with their picks and young talent, in order to get Westbrook. While I think that someone like Chris Paul is better fit for the flailing franchise, Westbrook isn’t exactly a bad 2nd choice.
And I think that the Rockets would do this trade. They would either be getting the 8th pick in this draft, or a future 1st round pick from the Knicks. And unless something crazy happens, that pick will also be a pretty high one. So I think that the Rockets do this if they find the right trade. The Rockets go into more of a rebuild and Russell Westbrook gets out of Houston. The Rockets get some sort of future pieces to build on, instead of making dumb decisions and going for it all every season.
There are a lot of places that I could see Westbrook going, but the Knicks seem the most likely. They are a big market and Westbrook would again be the #1 option on a team. The Rockets get some sort of future. But Westbrook could not be traded, and he would stay with the Rockets. This would make things awkward as he has already requested a trade. I doubt that Westbrook stays with the team this summer, and he has a player option during the 2022 offseason. So if he doesn’t get traded this offseason, Westbrook might be stuck in Houston for longer than he wants to.
Where Will Westbrook Go If He’s Traded? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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