As it would appear, the dreams that both Russell Westbrook and James Harden had set out on after the Houston Rockets traded for Westbrook won't be achieved in dynamic duo fashion anymore. Westbrook, according to a report, has grown frustrated with his role on the floor after only one season with the Rockets, which has suggested that he'd prefer to be moved ahead of the 2020-21 NBA season.
While this was unmistakably Harden's team to begin with, Westbrook made it known that his style of play wouldn't be sheltered for the likes of anyone, even his longtime friend in Harden.
Now with multiple, brewing stories coming from Houston players after the breaking headlines of Harden and Westbrook's dissatisfaction, the Rockets could easily be heading for a rebuild if matters become worse.
Finding a partner for both Westbrook's contract and style of play will be rather difficult. He's notoriously known for not being successful with other stars on the floor, with Paul George and Carmelo Anthony being a couple of names that've struggled next to the nine-time All-Star during his Oklahoma City Thunder days. Still, he's a triple-double specialist that can add some flow to stagnant offenses.
Here are a few ideal spots for Westbrook to land on if he's moved.
5. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets recently appeared as a reasonable suitor for Russell Westbrook, according to The Athletic's Sham Charania. While they aren't built for immediate contention, they're also a younger group of players primarily that can cater to an older vet such as Westbrook. The oldest player on the Hornets roster at the moment would be 31-year-old Nicolas Batum, who would likely be moved in any deal given his overpriced salary.
The Hornets have been able to stack some young talent in recent years after coming across P.J. Washington, Devonte' Graham, and Miles Bridges. They'll all likely be around for the long haul and become building pieces unless a deal comes along that makes them instantly tradable pieces. While one of the aforementioned youngsters could see themselves shipped in a deal for Westbrook, it's likely that the Hornets try and retain most of their younger, high-ceiling players.
Adding Westbrook to the mix doesn't push the Hornets into contender conversation just yet, but it does make them likely to make a playoff appearance in the 2020-21 season.
4. Miami Heat
Westbrook was previously linked to Miami before eventually being traded to the Rockets in 2019. He could come back to that bullet point once more this offseason and pair up with Jimmy Butler in South Beach. Having Westbrook could be beneficial to Butler, who's looking for players that can take some of the offensive pressure off of him, allowing him to open up for more cuts to the basket and assist in generating the offense.
The Heat are looking to add another big name to their roster this offseason much like they did with Butler, and they aren't opposed to clearing a few names off the books to get it done. After being a few games away from possessing the 2020 champions title, the Heat could make a move for Westbrook if they still feel as though he helps their efforts.
3. New York Knicks
The Knicks have been rumored to be a likely destination for Westbrook, given their immediate search for a new star to post on billboards on Broadway. New York virtually has no true direction at the moment, which could quickly change this offseason. With that in mind, Westbrook could easily fit into a Knicks locker room that has yet to find its identity.
They've already drafted their star for the future in RJ Barrett and have stated that they don't intend to bring anyone aboard that could hinder his development. Yet Russell Westbrook could find some joy in mentoring a young, raw talent such as Barrett versus colliding with his fellow star peers as he's done in prior years.
The thought of being constantly enveloped in the fashion mecca should be an alluring aspect to Westbrook being drawn to the Big Apple as well.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
A move to the Clippers only works in the event that Westbrook is willing to relieve some of his ball-handling duties. He'll still be called upon regularly to make plays happen for the Clippers, who finished 22nd in assists last season, but his overall usage rate will diminish greatly. He's already spent some time with Paul George in OKC, which gives than an edge in established, on-court rapport. His fit with Kawhi Leonard will be the bigger question mark in the equation.
Even so, if the three All-NBA players are somehow able to mesh well on the floor together, it would pan out well in the postseason. Adding Westbrook to the backcourt opens up another dimension for both George and Leonard, both of whom spent most of this season playing off one another as they continued to learn each one's tendencies.
If the Clippers were to pull off a deal for Westbrook, seeing as how they've reportedly shown interest in him, they'd have to be willing to part with some significant players to get it done.
1. Orlando Magic
The Magic would be another ideal spot for Westbrook, seeing as how they haven't had a premier point guard in ages. While his 3-point shooting can be abysmal, he can still penetrate the basket at ease while creating open looks for Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon. The Magic made a faint sound in the 2020 postseason, which is quite the accomplishment given their past years of being absent altogether from the playoffs. They could be looking to capitalize off that momentum with someone of Westbrook's caliber.
While they're still another team not readily built to make a deep run in the postseason, adding Russell Westbrook to their arsenal gives them the chances of returning to prominence in the East as possibly a sixth seed at best. Most of their offense-initiating has come from either DJ Augustin or Evan Fournier, which makes Russell Westbrook easily a significant upgrade in all aspects outside of perhaps shooting.
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