The nightmare for Russell Westbrook ended as soon as he arrived as the new starting point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers. The point guard was solid in the regular season with the Clippers, averaging 15.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 7.6 APG, but took his game to another level in the postseason by dropping 23.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 7.4 APG. The Clippers will want to keep the playoff version of Westbrook going forward, but it won’t be easy since the point guard is a free agent this summer, and the power is in his hands in terms of his future.
By most accounts, Russell Westbrook could be out to prove doubters wrong that he is past his best and is actually still capable of playing like an All-Star, as he showed in the playoffs. Since he is no longer an All-Star as of this season, he won’t command another max contract. But his elite play in the postseason means the point guard could bring in a two or three-year contract worth around $20 million per season. After all, there will be teams willing to fork out that money to a 34-year-old who probably has a few more years left in the rank.
There might be some other teams that might want to take Westbrook on their books, and there are five leading teams right now. No doubt, Westbrook is still one of the most exciting players in the NBA because he still has enough athleticism to throw down dunks and his triple-double ability has somehow captivated fans every night. Without further ado, here are the expected destinations that could welcome Russell Westbrook next year.
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors just missed the playoffs this year, but as their team is set up, there aren’t many untouchables outside of last year’s Rookie of the Year winner Scottie Barnes and All-Star Pascal Siakam. The Canadian team might want to shed salary with the hopes of finding their new star or a player who can come in and lead the team to a championship. Pascal Siakam is a very solid talent, but he is best suited for being a second or third option rather than being the best player on the team. Russell Westbrook could help Toronto get into the playoffs next season, especially if he posts anywhere near 23-7-7.
Raptors fans have fallen in love with Fred VanVleet, who was a first-time All-Star and a player who can compete well on both ends of the floor. Gary Trent Jr is a player who can shoot the three and can also get hot quickly, but both guards could end up leaving in free agency, and that will clear a ton of cap space if the team wants to refocus and bring in an established floor general. With so much versatility to clear space, the Raptors can sign Westbrook to a two or three-year deal to help them compete in the Eastern Conference.
Westbrook gets his chance to help lead a team into the playoffs and will be a mentor for young Scottie Barnes, who is still learning the ropes of being a star in the league. A starting lineup with Westbrook, Barnes, and Siakam leading the charge will be very interesting to follow because there isn’t a reason why the team can’t finish as a top 5 or top 6 seed at the very least. Let’s see what Toronto does to position itself in the free-agent market.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Russell Westbrook should probably retire as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder in a perfect world. He was their greatest-ever player and became the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double in a single season while winning the league MVP award. What Westbrook means to Oklahoma City is surreal because he remained loyal to the franchise until the end. Remember, Westbrook didn’t want to leave, but rather he was traded to Houston.
Russ coming back home could bring the player back to his best in terms of feeling motivated and also get away from the overbearing expectations to win a championship immediately in Los Angeles. Westbrook had some bright young talented players around him in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Josh Giddey, and he can teach them the ropes of superstardom in the city of Oklahoma. If anything, the Thunder will have more than enough to earn a playoff spot instead of making the play-in tournament.
If Westbrook can accept a $20 million deal for the next two or three seasons, leading the young and up-and-coming Thunder to the postseason every year would be great for his legacy. Expectations of winning a championship would be very low. Russ would be beloved in every aspect of his game in Oklahoma City, and he will retire as the greatest player ever for the franchise. There are so many positives to Westbrook returning to Oklahoma City that it might make perfect sense for him.
Los Angeles Clippers
Russell Westbrook must take a discount to join the Los Angeles Clippers next year in free agency. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are making max money at over $40 million per year, so Westbrook might have to settle for under $20 million per season to complete the Big Three. Quite frankly, Russ fits well in Los Angeles as he is a native of that city and he can help George win their first title together. Not to mention, the Clippers franchise probably wants the point guard back.
Westbrook understands that Kawhi Leonard is the star of the team and that means he will play off him without worrying about his shots or numbers. Russ has become a selfless point guard because he needs a championship far more than individual accolades at this point of his career. If he ends up staying, coach Ty Lue will also be able to place Russ in the best positions to succeed for a roster that has plenty of weapons.
After seeing what Westbrook did in Los Angeles in the playoffs, the point guard could be willing to re-sign for a longer-term deal. The triple-double king is the playmaker that Leonard and George need in terms of pushing the pace and piling up assists, and his experience will be huge if the Clippers want the likes of Terance Mann and Bones Hyland to stay and learn the ropes. There will be competition for Chris Paul’s signature because the Clippers are possibly at the forefront, so if the Clippers sign Paul, Westbrook isn’t coming back. If Paul instead goes to the Lakers, for example, Westbrook is a very viable option for Steve Ballmer’s team. Overall, Westbrook had a disastrous run with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he could actually win with the Los Angeles Clippers next year.
Phoenix Suns
Russell Westbrook had himself a terrific postseason with the Los Angeles Clippers, and he has silenced the majority of critics who are claiming he is washed and even praying for his downfall. Westbrook has to be recognized as the greatest player to have ever played for the Oklahoma City Thunder and had his best years with the franchise. Remember, Russ had Kevin Durant by his side and the Thunder made the NBA Finals and had countless deep postseason runs. Why not run it back with Westbrook and Durant?
Of course, the trade for Bradley Beal means the Suns have a very top-heavy roster without much depth. In comes Westbrook, who would start at point guard, with Beal and Booker completing the scoring duo while Durant and Ayton occupy the frontcourt. A potential reunion of Westbrook and Durant would be a massive storyline in terms of “feel good” mantras and team chemistry. Westbrook has proven he can still play at a high level and even if he doesn’t shoot a high percentage from the field, he is a terrific rebounder, passer, and high-energy star who will always play a high number of games. Not to mention, Russ will help elevate Kevin Durant and Devin Booker’s play even more.
Westbrook and Durant could join forces again, except this time, the amount of talent around them will be surreal. The Thunder duo always needed a shooting guard to make outside shots and relieve them, and finally, that player is here in Devin Booker. Not to mention, Deandre Ayton down low would be the best big that Russ ever played with. Boy, what a story that would be if Westbrook becomes a Phoenix Sun next year.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are in win-now mode because they have a legitimate top-10 player in the world during the playoffs in Jimmy Butler and a host of tough-nosed players and other talents, including Bam Adebayo. Despite the frustrating exit from the Finals, Miami has to run it back with a core of Butler and Adebayo while continuing to surround them with star players who can create offense. Specifically, Kyle Lowry didn’t have a great season as he posted 11.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 5.1 APG through 55 games and only posted 9.2 PPG and 4.4 APG in the playoffs. Miami needs more from their point guard, and it might not happen since Lowry is 37 years old and counting. Gabe Vincent averaged 9.4 PPG in the regular season and 12.7 PPG in the playoffs, so he is also not a star player by any means.
Instead of hoping a 37-year-old point guard returns to elite shape or Vincent somehow becomes a 20 PPG scorer, replacing their point guards altogether makes the most sense. At the very least, Westbrook will play hard and possibly conform to the Miami Heat style of play built on defense and toughness. No doubt about it, Russ plays hard and will be a player Jimmy Butler will welcome in with open arms. If the Heat can get Russ to play a defensive-minded role and take smart shots, they are in the mix for a championship.
Along with giving the Miami Heat a player who competes hard and actually pushes the pace on offense alongside elite scorers in Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, Russell Westbrook also benefits on a personal level because he can still play in a big market to play hard with the hopes of winning his first championship. Overall, Westbrook to Miami works for every party involved because he has an All-Star impact when motivated and happy in a particular situation.
