Russell Westbrook has reportedly requested a trade out of the Houston Rockets, and while that would have been massive a couple of years ago, it doesn't seem like he's got that kind of traction in the NBA anymore.
Westbrook still has three years left in his massive deal ($41.3M average salary) and he just turned 32. He's undergone multiple knee injuries and more than that, he's yet to prove that he can actually make a team better.
Don't get me wrong, Westbrook is one of the most talented and athletic players to ever make it to the league. However, he's failed to learn from his mistakes and just seems reluctant to change the way he plays to help a team contend for an NBA championship.
That's why most contending teams will be wary of making a move for the former MVP. Then again, that doesn't mean that lesser teams trying to make the playoffs right away shouldn't trade for him. In the following paragraphs, we'll show you the three teams that make the most sense for him right now.
3. Phoenix Suns
The Rockets aren't going to get equal value for Westbrook, that's for sure, but they could still get Kelly Oubre, Ricky Rubio, and Frank Kaminsky or spare parts, which are all players that would complement James Harden better.
Why would Russ want to play for the Phoenix Suns? Well, let's take a look at what Chris Paul just did this season. People counted him out, yet he managed to lead a rebuilding team to the playoffs and was one win away from making it to the second round.
The Suns showed a huge improvement in the bubble and whether they may not be able to sustain that, adding Westbrook could certainly help them clinch a much-awaited playoff berth, assuming he's willing to give up shots to Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, which is a huge if.
2. Charlotte Hornets
Well, the Charlotte connection with Russell Westbrook has been there for a long time. Michael Jordan owns the Hornets and has lauded Russ in the past, claiming that he's the player that reminds him the most of him.
Westbrook is one of the biggest ambassadors of Jordan's brand, and Michael Jordan has made a reputation for his questionable calls as an executive in the past, so this wouldn't be a surprise to see him offer Devonte' Graham, Cody Zeller, and spare parts for Russ.
Moreover, the Hornets have enough young assets that could benefit from playoff experience and having Westbrook on the team would at least guarantee them the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference.
1. New York Knicks
The New York Knicks were reportedly interested in trading for Russell Westbrook and it would make the most sense for him as well. Why? Well, there wouldn't be a better way to salvage his legacy than leading the Knicks back to the playoffs.
New York has a long history of overpaying underperforming superstars and they know that they must make a move as soon as possible if they want to bring the franchise back from the ground. Also, it would help them get rid of Julius Randle and Bobby Portis' contracts.
RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, and Russell Westbrook - plus a top-10 pick in this year's Draft - could be more than enough to at least clinch a playoff berth, and we already know how much Westbrook raves about fashion, making NYC even a more appealing destination for him.
