3 teams who could use Russell Westbrook after a buyout

2. Miami Heat

Even before the Westbrook trade happened, the then-Lakers guard was obviously considered a buyout candidate if LA was able to move him before the deadline. And in that conversation, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report noted that the Miami Heat would make a lot of sense for the veteran guard.

Miami was relying on veteran Kyle Lowry to be a leader in the backcourt this season but his production and health have been an issue for this team. However, with the Heat still in the playoff hunt and trying to weather injuries, adding a player like Westbrook in the hope (perhaps false hope) that he can provide a spark would make a lot of sense.

Financially, Pincus noted that the Heat would likely have to make a small trade in order to clear out some money to take on Westbrook as a buyout signing, but it’s still very much in the cards.

1. Los Angeles Clippers

Incidentally, the other team that Chris B. Haynes reported is going to be interested in taking advantage of a Russell Westbrook buyout is the other team in Los Angeles, the Clippers.

Given that the team is also likely to buy out John Wall after the trade deadline if they can’t find a deal (which seems unlikely at this point), it would stand to reason why the Clippers would be interested in a player like Westbrook. This is a shallow backcourt that could use some veteran energy, even if it does carry some risk in doing so given Westbrook’s recent track record.

Without Wall in the lineup, the point guard spot after Terance Mann has been manned by Reggie Jackson, but that hasn’t been a significant asset for the Clippers off the bench. In theory, Westbrook could be what they hoped a healthy Wall could be, which makes it sensible why they were seemingly the first team in line.