Russell Westbrook saw his almost two-year roller-coaster tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers come to an end when the said team pulled off a multi-player, three-team trade that sent him to the Utah Jazz.
The former NBA MVP and All-Star is in the middle of one of the worst statistical years since his rookie season, averaging 15.9 points on a 41 percent FGH clip to go along with 6.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game.
Many NBA pundits and fans believe the Lakers had to trade him after a one-year and-a-half season experiment because of his failure to flourish in his less-than-stellar role as the third-wheel to fellow superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Nevertheless, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that multiple teams are still interested in taking Westbrook’s service, at least for the remainder of the season. These teams obviously can't trade for him because it’s already past the trade deadline, but they could still acquire him off the waiver wire following a buyout agreement with the Jazz.
Just for the fun of it, let's gauge which team from this line up of rumored suitors – the Thunder, Clippers, Heat, Bulls and Jazz – has the strongest chance of landing the dynamic guard when it's all said and done.
No Chance - The Oklahoma City Thunder
Even if Westbrook had been interested in OKC, the Thunder were not likely to feel the same way. The former MVP would surpass Mike Muscala, a nine-year veteran, as the oldest player on Oklahoma City's team by three years. Adding Westbrook would only derail the development of the team's young player and improving chemistry.
Outside Chance - The Utah Jazz
The franchise's CEO Danny Ainge, general manager Justin Zanik, and coach Will Hardy, according to sources spoke to by Wojnarowski, have told Westbrook that he's welcome to report to the team and complete the season in Utah. There is no assurance that Westbrook will get consistent playing time because the Jazz intend to give priority to their younger players.
Probable - The Los Angeles Clippers
Clippers star Paul George believes that Westbrook still has plenty to offer despite a rocky tenure with the Lakers and can improve the Clippers. George thinks that having Westbrook in the traditional role of starting the offense would make things easier for the Clippers and he can complement Westbrook's game by spacing the floor and shooting from the perimeter.
Contender - The Miami Heat
It has been reported that he is interested in joining the Miami Heat and that they are well-positioned to be active in this year's buyout market. He is expected to decide between the Miami Heat and another team as soon as this week. By signing a player through the buyout market, a team can acquire talent at a discounted price, compared to a long-term agreement in free agency. This is a notable opportunity for the Miami Heat to potentially improve their roster.
Favorites - The Chicago Bulls
It's not surprising that the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are rumored to be top choices for Russell Westbrook, as both teams are in need of a veteran point guard with playoff experience. The Bulls in particular are a young and talented team that could benefit from Westbrook's leadership and playmaking abilities. As for Billy Donovan, it's clear that he holds Westbrook in high regard, as they have a strong relationship from their time together in Oklahoma City.
