Fansided

NBA rumors: 5 teams who could trade for Russell Westbrook

By Brad Berreman

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 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)
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 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Mandatory Credit: Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images /

4. Dallas Mavericks

Even in a deep, wide open Western Conference, the Mavericks are an intriguing team led by reigning Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic plus the looming healthy return of Kristaps Porzingis. In a certain light, the point guard duo of Jalen Brunson and Seth Curry could be very good too. Dallas even added a bit of novelty, and a fairly useful player (7.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last season) in center Boban Marjanovic.

Dallas has consistently lost out on getting star players over the last several years, either via free agency or a trade. As it sits now, they have a couple elevated salaries they surely would like to get rid of.

Westbrook might want to join a better team than the Mavericks, and no one would blame him. But a deal to send him to Dallas is pretty simple on a player-for-player basis.

Tim Hardaway is currently working his way back from a leg injury, and he also has two years left on the bloated contract the New York Knicks gave him. That second year is a player option though, so even if (when) he picks it up he’d be a highly tradable asset by that point. Courtney Lee is entering the final year of his deal.

The Thunder got a haul of five first-round picks from the Clippers for George, so adding two more pushes the limits toward an overload. But a looming rebuild needs assets, and Dallas can offer picks and two contracts when the light at the end of the tunnel is visible.

Home/Oklahoma City Thunder