Once we began to wrap our minds around the reality that Kevin Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors, perhaps the most immediate question that followed was: what will Russell Westbrook do next summer if he isn’t dealt before then?
Typically speaking, the better ball-clubs who spent wisely have the best chance at landing a star like Durant or Westbrook in free agency. However, a lot can change in one year, and the majority of the league will be phoning his agent in hopes of securing an all-important pitch meeting. With all due respect to the still-valuable Luol Deng, the Lakers were ignored by the cream of the crop this offseason. Still, Los Angeles keeps getting tossed around with regard to Russ’s final destination. That and that alone should give hope to your favorite team that failed to make the playoffs in 2016: they too could woo Westbrook.
For the record, I don’t wish it upon Oklahoma City Thunder fans that Westbrook leaves. I think there’s a chance Victor Oladipo has a breakout campaign alongside Russ and thus he strongly considers a return. Nevertheless, it’s time to delve into which current non-playoff squads could be considered favorites to ink Westbrook in 2017.
Los Angeles Lakers
L.A. might have some very movable players if Westbrook decides he’s interested and the Lakers need to clear some cap space. Westbrook is from Long Beach, California and he went to UCLA. The rumors aren’t going to go away until Adrian Wojnarowski or Marc Stein tell us otherwise. With that being said, it’s a struggle to envision Westbrook seriously competing for a championship with a Lakers squad that’s in the early stages of its rebuild but signed two veterans, one of whom was glued to the bench in the Finals, for mega-bucks.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves will have more than enough money to throw at Westbrook, and a core six including Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and Ricky Rubio is tantalizing to think about despite fit concerns. Minnesota is probably set to take a giant jump in 2017 under Tom Thibodeau, and Russ joining forces with the league’s best center is more than enough to make the Warriors worry. Theoretically speaking, Wiggins at the four would work well assuming he bulks up a bit over the next couple years, and running three-guard lineups is pretty plausible when you have KAT prowling to protect the rim.
New Orleans Pelicans
Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook would strike fear into opponents who were watching them on television from the safety of their own couches. If New Orleans could retain Jrue Holiday in free agency as well, that trio would win lots of games if healthy. An all-UCLA backcourt with Hield hoisting triples, Solomon Hill doing the dirty work, and A.D. diving to the rim non-stop would be scarier than Pierre the Pelican. New Orleans would probably need to surrender a first-rounder in order to attach Omer Asik and clear enough cap room, but as long as other teams are starving for picks and possess the space to absorb some unfavorable contracts, that shouldn’t be a problem.
New York Knicks
Even if Derrick Rose works out, the Knicks should be calling Westbrook first on July 1st. Phil Jackson can sell Russell on Carmelo Anthony—if he has another quality year—and Kristaps Porzingis. I’m picturing Courtney Lee in the starting lineup with these guys, but I’m blanking on the fifth man. It doesn’t really matter I suppose, or maybe it does. If the Zen Master doesn’t even get a meeting though, he might walk out on the Big Apple. That or he’ll sign LeBron instead. Just kidding, Cleveland. Anyways, pardon my digression. If Anthony remains healthy and effective in 2016-17 and Porzingis improves, the Knicks have a shot in the dark. That’s all that really matters.
Utah Jazz
It’s certainly possible that the Jazz could re-sign Gordon Hayward and bring Westbrook in as well after clearing some cap space. However, Utah’s slow style of play doesn’t agree with Westbrook’s game in any way. This would signal a serious shift in the team’s philosophy, but it would net them a superstar player in return. Should the Jazz shoot up in the standings and impress in the playoffs, don’t be surprised if Utah is in the mix for Russ if they reach out to him in free agency.
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