What’s next for Russell Westbrook? Ranking every NBA team as possible destinations after buyout
Russell Westbrook traded again.
According to ESPN’s Adrian WojnarowskiThe Lakers sold Westbrook to the Jazz in a three-team deal with the Timberwolves.
After spending the first 11 seasons of his career in Oklahoma City, Westbrook has now been traded four times in five years. It might not even go with jazz. According to reportsWestbrook will likely be bought out so he can sign with a team of his choice.
In which case, where might Westbrook end up? Here is a ranking of all teams not involved in this trade.
MORE: NBA trade deadline tracker: Latest rumours, news and updates
We’re on point guard
27. warrior
26 Trailblazer
25 grizzlies
24 thunder
23 outsider
22 nuggets
21 76er
20 hawks
19 Cavaliers
18 kings
17. curtsy
16 dollar
15 Celts
14 pacemaker
We can probably rule out half the league because they’re already set to Westbrook’s position.
10 of the 14 teams listed above have a point guard who was named an All-Star last season or this season, from Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard to Tyrese Haliburton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The non-All-Star teams’ starting points are Marcus Smart in Boston, Jamal Murray in Denver, De’Aaron Fox in Sacramento, and Jalen Brunson in New York.
Basically, borderline All-Stars or reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
Even with Westbrook taking a role off the bench in Los Angeles, it’s hard to imagine him joining one of those teams.
We already have enough mouths to feed
13. pelicans
12. heat
11. birds of prey
10. nets
The Pelicans have more of an opening than point guard, but they’d be better off adding a specialist to their core of CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson than a ball-dominant player who’s a shaky outside shooter.
It seems the Heat are looking for a Kyle Lowry upgrade, but offense has been their problem this season and Westbrook wouldn’t make for the most natural fit with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. The Raptors might be looking for a point guard if they trade Fred VanVleet, but Westbrook isn’t the answer for a team potentially headed for a rebuild.
Would Kevin Durant be open to a Westbrook reunion? While the answer is yes, the Nets just acquired Spencer Dinwiddie, who has proven to be a good starter and a more reliable shooter than Westbrook. Also, Cam Thomas has been cooking lately, so they might skip this one even though they just traded their Star Point Guard.
We may need help, but our young people need repetition
9. Pistons
8th. magic
7. rockets
6. spores
Teams likely to enter the Victor Wembanyama Sweepstakes will likely do well with their young players running the show for the remainder of this season.
The Pistons, Magic and Rockets have some of the best young cores in the NBA. Spurs have had an opening on guard since Dejounte Murray was traded but they don’t need anyone touching Tre Jones, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan at the moment.
We’ll think about it
5. cops
4. hornets
3. wizard
2. to sunbathe
1. clippers
The Bulls are an option for Westbrook because of Lonzo Ball’s ongoing knee problems. Ball underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in January of last season but he has yet to return to the pitch and no one seems to know when he will. Westbrook doesn’t make much sense next to the ball brother in Charlotte, but the Hornets have a history of being associated with Westbrook and he’s a Jordan guy.
Westbrook spent the 2020-21 season with Washington, putting an All-NBA push on the track. The Wizards left him at the end of the season, but they haven’t had the strongest streak from point guards since. Even after acquiring Monte Morris, the wizards may persuade themselves to bring Westbrook back.
Westbrook and Bradley Beal formed a solid duo in their only season together. Additionally, Westbrook still appears to be on good terms with Beal, who recently signed a five-year extension that includes a no-trade clause.
Last but not least: Phoenix and LA, two teams in win-now mode and looking for a point guard.
According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Reportthe Clippers have already expressed an interest in Westbrook should it be bought out.
It’s not that the Suns and Clippers don’t have mouths to feed as well, but they are better equipped to surround Westbrook with the shooting he needs to do what he does best. And both teams have room for what he does best — the Suns and Clippers rank in the bottom half of the league in terms of drives, paint points and free throw attempts per game.
The Clippers come in at #1 because of Westbrook’s connection to Paul George and, you know, the fact that he’s already in Los Angeles. Also, the Suns still have Chris Paul. He might be showing his age this season, but he’s still almost an average double-double.