Nov 23, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket against New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Latest Russell Westbrook rumor is a breath of fresh air for Knicks fans
If the New York Knicks don’t make any point guard moves during the offseason, they’d have two players on their roster who could play the position. Yet it wouldn’t be a bad idea for New York to either draft a PG, trade for one, or sign one during free agency. However, Russell Westbrook is reportedly out of the picture.
Why would the Knicks trade for Westbrook? Well, it’s an option that should at least be considered. Sure, he’s struggled with the Lakers this year, which is why the possibility of trading him is an option in the first place.
Westbrook has a $47 million player option for the 2022-23 season and if he opts out, he’ll be eligible to hit free agency a year early. It’d be tough to see the 33-year-old pass on that amount of money, and if he doesn’t, Los Angeles will have to get creative with a trade.
According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, New York’s not interested in trading for the nine-time All-Star and 2016-17 MVP.
The New York Knicks aren’t interested in a Russell Westbrook trade.
It should be noted that Fischer was the one who broke the news of James Harden’s unhappiness in Brooklyn and hinted at him wanting to go to Philadelphia during the offseason. Fischer didn’t have to wait until the summer to be proven right about his reports.
On the topic of New York wanting to stay away from acquiring Westbrook (and rightfully so), Fischer said:
”I pitched the idea to Knicks people time and again going back to the deadline, and they have no interest,” Fischer said. “… Everything I’ve heard is that New York is trying to grow this group as it is and mix and match a few parts and move forward.”
Knicks fans, that’s something to be ecstatic about. We’ve witnessed New York win four-straight games led by 21-year-old RJ Barrett, along with key performances from Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin.
Although the Knicks don’t have a shot at the play-in tournament, their end to 2021-22 has been odd, yet extremely satisfying. For the first time in a long time, there’s an actual reason (no false hope) to be excited for what’s to come.
The team has a promising future, and with all due respect to Westbrook, he’d hinder New York’s growth. Look at what the Lakers had to give up to get him and how it worked out for them.
If anything, Leon Rose should learn from Los Angeles’ mistakes. And hopefully, the Knicks keep their young core together during the offseason because, without a doubt, those players are the future.
