Knicks must avoid this proposed Russell Westbrook trade at all costs
The New York Knicks must find a viable point guard option during the offseason, whether that be via the draft, free agency, or a trade. However, what New York must avoid is making a trade with the Lakers for Russell Westbrook.
The Knicks already have veteran Derrick Rose under contract through the 2023-24 season and he was having success at point guard before he injured his ankle in December. The last thing that New York needs is to add 33-year-old Westbrook into the mix (or replace Rose with him).
This isn’t to say that Westbrook no longer has value. Last July, Los Angeles traded Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and a first-round pick to Washington in exchange for the 2016-17 MVP.
The Lakers’ season has gone in the complete opposite direction of what Rob Pelinka and fans hoped for. Because of that, it’d be in Los Angeles’ best interest to trade Westbrook, although his $47.1 player option complicates the matter.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey proposed a few offseason surprise trades and one of those was a Knicks-Lakers trade.
The New York Knicks need to stay away from a Russell Westbrook trade.
While I believe that New York shouldn’t trade for Westbrook, what Bailey suggested that the Knicks give up in the deal isn’t half bad.
Evan Fournier’s had his moments this year with the Knicks but he’s far too inconsistent. Alec Burks has been thrust into the role as the starting point guard and Thibodeau’s too stubborn to switch things up, even though it clearly isn’t working.
Rose is the most valuable of the three players that New York would have to give up in this hypothetical trade but he’s only played in a total of 26 games this year. Injuries have been the story of his 13-year career.
And in addition to Westbrook, the Knicks would also be getting the Lakers’ 2027 first-round pick. That sort of feels like robbery, considering that the pick is all that Los Angeles has left after its offseason moves last year.
The bottom line is that Westbrook wouldn’t help New York’s issues at point guard. His numbers don’t tell the full story but he’s struggled to facilitate and operate in the Lakers’ offense.
This season, he’s averaging 18 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 3.9 turnovers in the 67 games that he’s played in. He’s shooting 43.3% from the field and 27.7% from the 3-point line.
Lake Show Life’s editor Jason Reed wrote a piece in response to Bailey’s trade and explained why it’d be a decent idea for both teams. He said:
"“The Knicks are trying to go superstar hunting and this allows them to free up the money to do so. They also get a draft pick for their troubles and as bad as Russ has been in LA, he is someone who can raise the floor of a bad team like the Knicks and at least sell tickets.”"
Sure, the Knicks are a bad team and are looking for a star point guard, but Westbrook wouldn’t help to steer New York in the right direction. And why would Leon Rose and the front office want to take on Westbrook’s contract given how he’s performed for Los Angeles this year?
It wouldn’t hurt to get rid of Fournier, Burks, and Rose but it also wouldn’t help to bring in Westbrook. In my opinion, it’s a trade that would hinder the Knicks from getting back on the path to the playoffs.
I truly hope that Westbrook can find a situation that better fits him but I can guarantee you that being in New York wouldn’t help either party.
