Russell Westbrook is coming off, arguably, the two worst seasons of his NBA career. Since arriving with the Lakers, Westbrook struggled to fit in and initially resisted adapting his game to play effectively alongside LeBron James.
Still, despite the reports and dips in most statistical categories, Westbrook will have his fair share of suitors when he becomes an unrestricted free agent next week.
After being traded from the Lakers to the Jazz, the two sides are set to agree to terms on a buyout that will make Russ an unrestricted free agent.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, several teams will pursue the former MVP, but one team is leading the way as the favorite to pick him up.
“If he gets out into the buyout market, there is significant interest in Westbrook,” said Adrian Wojnarowski. “I think one team you got to watch and I think will be a frontrunner are the Chicago Bulls. Billy Donovan certainly coached Westbrook in Oklahoma City. If you go further down his bench, Mo Cheeks, Josh Longstaff… There is a staff of former OKC assistants who all had good relationships and worked well with Westbrook with the Bulls. And you could see how he fits just bringing some energy and fire to that team’s bench (via Real GM).”
The Bulls aren’t in contention this season, but they have hopes of sneaking into the playoffs with DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic. In a perfect world, Westbrook would come in off the bench for Chicago to add some depth, playmaking, and interior scoring to the backcourt.
But are the Bulls willing to take on the risk he poses to the locker room?
Westbrook’s Toxic Lakers Tenure Cause For Concern In NBA Circles
Looking back, it’s hard to call Russ’ partnership with the Lakers anything but a failure. It was a bad fit both on and off the court, to the point where one insider compared his presence to that of a vampire.
But Russ still brings some good things to the court, and he could thrive given the right circumstances and a chance to be himself.
The Bulls could be that team for him, or maybe it’s the Miami Heat who have a culture known for bringing the best out of players.
Whatever the case, it’s clear that the NAB has not seen the last of Russell Westbrook. He’ll have at least one more chance to prove his worth and stick it to the haters once and for all.
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