Could All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook get traded yet again? It appears at such a notion is at the very least a possibility as November reaches its halfway point. Both the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly showing interest in the longtime Oklahoma City Thunder point guard who is now with the Houston Rockets, though possibly for not much longer as Westbrook reportedly wants out of Houston.

However, the Knicks and Clippers couldn't be further apart in terms where these two franchises stand at the present moment. With the Knicks encountering losing season after losing season en route to finding themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings more regularly than not, the Clippers made a relatively deep playoff run in 2019-20 with superstar forwards Kawhi Leonard and Paul George leading the way in Los Angeles.

As a result, it would more than likely be significantly more difficult for the Knicks to acquire Westbrook if the Rockets are mostly seeking NBA-ready players in return. On the other hand, New York does own some serious NBA Draft capital at the moment, which could be paired with a few up-and-coming players — something that could get a deal done between the Knicks and Rockets over the Clippers.

The question is, though, will the Knicks be willing to part ways with the current foundation of its franchise and young core in exchange for an established veteran that has proven himself as an All-Star level player throughput his career? Although it remains unlikely with a new head coach and a restructured front office, that doesn't mean that it is any less fun to play around with this scenario.

Knicks receive Russell Westbrook, Rockets receive Kevin Knox, 2020, 2021 1st-round picks

If the New York Knicks are going to attempt to retain the majority of the team's up-and-coming talent and young core of players, the lowly Eastern Conference franchise is going to be forced to part ways with its NBA Draft capital. As it stands today, the Houston Rockets do not own a first round NBA Draft pick until 2022. Not only that, but the Rockets don't own any 2020 NBA Draft picks whatsoever with its selections in 2021 both coming in the second round. Although this haul wouldn't give the Rockets a ton to work with moving forward, it does replenish Houston's first round NBA Draft stock at least partially for the next two years. Because the Knicks own multiple first round picks in both 2020 and 2020, New York could part ways with a first-rounder in each of the next two years while still holding onto some early capital in addition to landing a player of Westbrook's ilk.

It is also worth noting that sending former first round pick and forward Kevin Knox to the Rockets would allow the former Kentucky Wildcats standout a fresh start as he has not been utilized a ton in the “Big Apple.” With Knox struggling at times since arriving atop the highest level and a new head coach in Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks would more than likely be willing to ship him out of town alongside some draft picks if it means Westbrook is coming the other way. More importantly, this would mean that RJ Barrett, Frank Ntilikina, Mitchell Robinson and Damyean Dotson would all stay put. Unfortunately for the Knicks, though, this may not be enough to ultimately land Westbrook as it cost quite a bit for the Rockets to secure his services in the first place. However, it would not benefit the Knicks to part ways with much more than this to land Westbrook, outside of maybe tossing in a third first round pick. The only reason the Rockets should even consider this offer is because the team has absolutely no leverage when it comes to figure first round NBA Draft picks.

Knicks receive Russell Westbrook, Rockets receive Frank Ntilikina, Kevin Knox, Damyean Dotson, RJ Barrett, 2020 1st-round pick

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To be abundantly clear, the New York Knicks absolutely don't want to part ways with guard RJ Barrett at this point in his NBA career. However, in order to land a player like Houston Rockets point guard Russell Westbrook, the Knicks may not have much of a choice. On the other hand, this would be a deal that the Rockets could request if the Knicks are unwilling to part ways with a significant portion of the franchise's currently robust slate of future NBA Draft capital. If the Knicks won't give up two, three or even more future first round picks, New York will have to give up a slew of its talented young players instead. Frank Ntilikina, Kevin Knox, Damyean Dotson and Barrett alone wouldn't be enough though as the Rockets will surely still need a first round pick in 2020 to seal this deal. Because the Rockets don't have a first round NBA Draft pick for what seems like an eternity, Houston will need to snag one — and likely more — in any deal involving Westbrook.

The key for New York in a deal of this nature would be holding onto one first rounder in 2020, two in 2021, one in 2022 and another two in 2023. Not only that, but the Knicks also have multiple second round picks in 2021 that would remain in place. Perhaps most importantly of all, center Mitchell Robinson would not be moved in this deal either. Although losing Barrett and Ntilikina would hurt — a lot — Robinson is arguably the team's most important player as it stands today.

It is very hard to imagine the Knicks pulling the trigger on this deal either, though. Is it really worth blowing up an entire core of players for Westbrook? If Robinson remains in place, most of the team's NBA Draft picks turn out to become impressive players and Westbrook helps lure some notable free agents to “The Mecca,” even then the answer is still a resounding maybe. As it stands today, the Knicks would probably prefer to unload NBA Draft picks rather than not have Thibodeau get a shot at coaching Barrett and Ntilikina. It is also worth noting that the COVID-19 pandemic also makes standing pat with these players the much safer move as well.