Top 3 Russell Westbrook trade ideas for this offseason

Los Angeles</a> Lakers. What a season it was. The word ‘disappointing’ doesn’t really do it justice, now does it? I think the word ‘abomination’ makes a lot more sense.</p> <p>Now I know what most Lakers fans will say – ‘There were too many injuries! Who knows what would have happened if the team was healthy!” And you know what, sure. I’ll give it to you. Injuries definitely impacted the Lakers’ season in a big way.</p> <h2>Top 3 Russell Westbrook trade ideas for this offseason</h2> <p>But I hate to be the bearer of bad news. When LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook played together (21 games), the Lakers were only 11-10. If you stretch that winning percentage out over the course of an entire season, it comes out to .524 – which would have landed them the eighth seed in the West.</p> <p>Regardless, the past is in the past. And with the horrifically unprofessional firing of Frank Vogel, the Lakers have officially hit rock bottom. But hey, at least now the only way to go is up!</p> <p>And that slow, treacherous climb back to the top starts with one move – trading Westbrook. Lakers fans may not have enjoyed reading this thus far, but even they can agree that Westbrook needs to be moved.</p> <p>Despite James saying that he wants to play with Westbrook again next season, the Lakers would be foolish to bring him back. The fit clearly didn’t work out, and Westbrook had some wild things to say during <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/15/russell-westbrook-trade-ideas/"https://www.si.com/nba/lakers/news/lakers-russell-westbrook-blasts-frank-vogel-in-exit-interview-ee21" target="_blank" rel="noopener">his exit interview</a>.</p> <p>But now, the question is, where does Westbrook end up this offseason?</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/15/russell-westbrook-trade-ideas/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Trade #1 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_444153" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-444153 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/15/russell-westbrook-trade-ideas/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1144404228.jpeg" alt="Russell Westbrook trade ideas" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1144404228.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1144404228-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 21: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers during Round One Game Three of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Top 3 Russell Westbrook trade ideas for this offseason. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Trail Blazers defeated the Thunder 111-98. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Top 3 Russell Westbrook trade ideas for this offseason: 3. Oklahoma City Thunder</h2> <p><strong>Thunder receive: Russell Westbrook, Picks to sweeten the pot</strong></p> <p><strong>Lakers receive: Derrick Favors, Salary-filler</strong></p> <p>What a sight it would be to see Russell Westbrook back in an Oklahoma City Thunder jersey. And as sad as it sounds, this might be the only city that would welcome him with open arms.</p> <p>Westbrook spent the first 11 years of his career in Oklahoma City and is undoubtedly beloved to this day. Even when Kevin Durant decided to leave, Westbrook stayed in Oklahoma City, remaining loyal to the franchise that drafted him.</p> <p>Unfortunately, the on-the-court fit doesn’t make much sense for either party. At this point in his career, Westbrook is trying to win, and the Thunder aren’t doing much of that right now.</p> <p>At the same time, Oklahoma City is trying to rebuild and should be fully focused on developing their young talent. Bringing in a soon-to-be 34-year-old Westbrook doesn’t really line up with those plans.</p> <p>However, at the very least, Westbrook would be able to provide a great locker room presence. And if that’s not what he’s looking to do (which it probably isn’t), then he would work with Sam Presti on a buyout.</p> <p>This move would be worth it for the story alone, although it admittedly doesn’t make too much sense for either side. But come on. How cool would this be?</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/15/russell-westbrook-trade-ideas/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Trade #2 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_444154" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-444154 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/15/russell-westbrook-trade-ideas/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1371023011.jpeg" alt="Russell Westbrook trade ideas" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1371023011.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1371023011-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 16: Mike Conley #11 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against LeBron James #6 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena on February 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California, Top 3 Russell Westbrook trade ideas for this offseason. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Top 3 Russell Westbrook trade ideas for this offseason: 2. Utah Jazz</h2> <p><strong>Jazz receive: Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker, 2027 First-Round Pick</strong></p> <p><strong>Lakers receive: Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic, Juancho Hernangomez</strong></p> <p>Okay, hear me out.</p> <p>This is by far the most ridiculous, unrealistic, never-going-to-happen-in-a-million-years trade. And in all honesty, it has about an 85 percent chance to blow up in Utah’s face. It’s admittedly bad. But what if…?</p> <p>It’s become clear that this iteration of the Utah Jazz isn’t working. And if they end up losing in the first two rounds of the playoffs again this year, that would cement it.</p> <p>So why not try something crazy for one, last-ditch effort to win with the core of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert? Why not bring in Russell Westbrook to run the offense?</p> <p>Again, this sounds completely crazy, but what if it’s not? Just ago Westbrook averaged a triple-double and seemingly single-handedly dragged a lackluster Washington Wizards team to the playoffs.</p> <p>One of the main reasons things didn’t work out in Los Angeles was because so many people needed the ball in their hands. But in Utah, Westbrook would be able to be the unquestioned primary ball-handler.</p> <p>He could set up plays for Donovan Mitchell and make Rudy Gobert a more effective offensive player. You saw what he did for Steven Adams during their time in Oklahoma City. Who’s to say he can’t do the same thing for Gobert?</p> <p>And the best part about all of this is that if it doesn’t work, the Jazz are free to start their rebuild next offseason. With Westbrook off the books and Talen Horton-Tucker on the roster (and the Lakers’ 2027 first-round pick), they could trade both Mitchell and Gobert.</p> <p>Again, this is a crazy idea and has no chance of happening, but the Jazz should be willing to try anything at this point. Why not give Westbrook a shot?</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/15/russell-westbrook-trade-ideas/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Trade #3 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438812" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438812 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/15/russell-westbrook-trade-ideas/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1144,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1355349517.jpeg" alt="Russell Westbrook ideas" width="1600" height="1144" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1355349517.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1355349517-768x549.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 23: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a three point shot as RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks defends at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2021 in New York City, Top 3 Russell Westbrook trade ideas for this offseason. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Top 3 Russell Westbrook trade ideas for this offseason: 1. New York Knicks</h2> <p><strong>Knicks receive: Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker</strong></p> <p><strong>Lakers receive: Julius Randle, Evan Fournier, Kemba Walker</strong></p> <p>Send Russell Westbrook to the Big Apple. I think this is by far the best trade on this list and a move that would work out well for both parties involved.</p> <p>Look. As much as Julius Randle will say he wants to stay in New York and play for the Knicks, it’s time to cut the cord. Just one year after he won Most Improved Player, it’s clear that the Knicks made a mistake when they signed him to a massive contract.</p> <p>In turn, it only makes sense that the Lakers and Knicks swap two of the worst contracts in the league for each other. New York fans might not be happy to get Westbrook, but here’s why they should be.</p> <p>First of all, unlike Kemba Walker (no offense to Kemba), Westbrook has a proven track record of making his teammates better. You can mock his triple-doubles all you want, but he gets his teammates good looks.</p> <p>For a young, up-and-coming Knicks team, that’s exactly what they should want. Westbrook doesn’t have to play 40 minutes a night but giving him 25 minutes where all he does is make plays for the young guys around him sounds pretty nice.</p> <p>Most importantly, though, after just one year with Westbrook, the Knicks would be free. So even if it ends up being the worst year ever (which I don’t think it would be), he’d be off the books by the next season.</p> <p>New York should capitalize on Los Angeles’ desperate desire to get rid of Westbrook as a method to dump the rest of Randle’s contract. This is the best move.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Official predictions for all three 2022 All-NBA Teams" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/13/predictions-all-nba-teams/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/15/russell-westbrook-trade-ideas/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/04/13/predictions-all-nba-teams/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Official predictions for all three 2022 All-NBA Teams </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">