Reports surfaced this week claiming the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers are interested in trading with the Houston Rockets for Russell Westbrook. New York's interest is very on-brand for the Knicks, but the Clippers side is a little harder to understand.

On the daily Locked On Clippers Podcast, hosts William Updyke and Charles Mockler discuss the rumors swirling around the Clippers. Moreover, and more accurately, their interest in Russell Westbrook.

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
Thunder veteran Alex Caruso next to the Larry O'Brien trophy with a picture of Alex Caruso in a Lakers jersey from 2020 next to a picture of Alex Caruso in an Oklahoma City Blue jersey from 2016 in the background with Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault in the background
Alex Caruso opens up on his ‘full-circle moment’ with ThunderJosue Pavon ·
Jase Richardson, Noah Penda beside each other, Orlando Magic logo and explosions in the background
Orlando Magic 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickEnzo Flojo ·
Collin Sexton in Charlotte Hornets jersey wearing #2 and Jusuf Nurkic in Utah Jazz jersey wearing #27 with a purple background
Grading Hornets-Jazz trade involving Collin Sexton, Jusuf NurkicKris Pursiainen ·
The Grizzlies started their 2025 NBA Draft in aggressive fashion by trading up for Cedric Coward.
Memphis Grizzlies 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickLorenzo J Reyna ·
NBA player Deandre Ayton in a LA Lakers jersey with the LA Lakers arena in the background, Deandre Ayton free agency contract buyout
Why Lakers must pursue Deandre Ayton in free agency after Blazers buyoutDavid Yapkowitz ·
image thumbnail
Golden State Warriors 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickEnzo Flojo ·

William Updyke: So, about the possibility of Russell Westbrook joining the Clippers… Kevin O'Connor reports that the Clippers and Knicks both have had trade interest in Russell Westbrook. The first obstacle I feel like you have to hop over is that he's owed…

Charles Mockler: He's bad.

William: Westbrook is owed $41 million in 2021, $44 million in 2122, and has a player option that he's definitely not turning down worth $47 million in 2023.

Charles: When I say not good I mean for the money he makes and for what this team would look like to have to move in order to get him.

William: I don't want to say that Russell Westbrook is a bad player because that's just not true

Charles: But it's not what you need it's not what the Clippers need. In this scenario, can we keep Paul George and Kawhi or is Paul George gone?

William: There's no way I'm giving up Paul George for frickin' Russell Westbrook. What would the Clippers have to give up, just to paint a picture, to get to that $40+ million dollar kind of range?

Charles: There was one idea put out that I think is asinine for the Rockets to accept, which is Pat Beverley, Rodney McGruder, and Montrezl Harrell on an $18 million sign-and-trade for Russell Westbrook, that's not gonna happen.

William: $18 million? Wow, Trez makes out like a bandit here.

Charles: This is an absolutely absurd trade idea. What is the point of this for the Rockets?

William: They're just trading back what they traded us in the Chris Paul trade.

Charles: That's insane.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7xHSNxYYCK81AHtvhCz1Oi?si=bPo0FcQ2QdajIKi2dJI3Pg