Former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook is headed to the Utah Jazz following a blockbuster three-team trade from the Los Angeles Lakers.
Westbrook’s tenure in Salt Lake City will be short-lived as he works on a buyout with the rebuilding Jazz. It will lead to the veteran hitting free agency at some point leading up to the NBA All-Star Break.
While we’ve seen Russ regress a great deal in recent seasons, there’s still going to be some interest in his services now that we’re not talking about an albatross of a contract. Westbrook’s overall game remains strong despite some major shooting issues. It’s in this that contending teams will line up to sign him for the remainder of the 2022-23 season. Below, we look at four ideal landing spots.
Related: Russell Westbrook and the top 2023 NBA free agents
Chicago Bulls add Russell Westbrook
Chris Haynes of Turner Sports reported shortly after the blockbuster three-team deal involving Westbrook that Chicago will have interest in the veteran. The team has struggled to a 26-28 start to the season with some major questions marks at point guard. Lonzo Ball has missed the entire season to an injury. Meanwhile, there’s speculation that fellow point guard Alex Caruso could be had ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
- Russell Westbrook stats (2022-23): 15.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 7.5 APG, 42% shooting, 30% 3-point
At the very least, Westbrook would be able to lead the second unit. His average of 7.5 assists per game this season would lead Chicago. In fact, wings DeMar DeRozan (5.0) and Zach LaVine (4.1) lead the Bulls in assists right now. That’s not sustainable.
Related: Winners and losers from Russell Westbrook blockbuster trade
Phoenix Suns get in the point guard game
We’ve read reports about Chris Paul’s future in the desert. Phoenix deciding to offer him up in a blockbuster trade for Kyrie Irving before the latter was moved to the Dallas Mavericks adds another layer to this.
While it would be awkward adding another aging point guard to the mix, Westbrook could actually be a good fit in Phoenix. The Suns are also looking to make a splash under new owner Mat Ishbia after he took over officially this week. Perhaps Phoenix opts to move Paul for a younger point guard with Westbrook coming off the bench. He’d work well running the second unit with Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet.
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated NBA trade rumors
Russell Westbrook heads to the New Orleans Pelicans
Point guard continues to be a major issue for the struggling Pelicans. That has been the case since they lost Lonzo Ball in free agency following the 2020-21 season. Right now, two-guard C.J. McCollum is handling primary ball-handling duties. He leads the Pelicans with 5.9 assists per game.
If New Orleans wants to overcome its recent funk (lost 10 of 13 games) and contend for a playoff spot, adding a point guard to the mix makes sense. Unfortunately, there’s now very few options after three players at that position were involved in the Russell Westbrook blockbuster. It’s in this that he makes a ton of sense for the Pelicans.
Related: Updated NBA trade tracker
Golden State Warriors add former NBA MVP
Jordan Poole has been dynamic in leading Golden State’s second unit, averaging 20.1 points on 44% shooting from the field. However, he continues to struggle with turnovers (3.4 per game this season). Poole would be better suited playing off the ball. That’s where Westbrook and his ball-handling ability would be a great fit next to Poole off the bench. It would also create more depth for a top-heavy Warriors team.
The backdrop here is Stephen Curry’s current injury and the fact that he’s out until after the All-Star Break. The defending champions are expected to be active ahead of the NBA trade deadline. But we would not be surprised if their biggest move was to bring Russell Westbrook in. He seems to be a logical fit.