5 NBA teams that can land Russell Westbrook amid rumors of veteran guard exiting Clippers
The LA Clippers and Russell Westbrook are reportedly going to part ways in the upcoming free agency period. According to reports, the 35-year-old veteran will decline the player option on his contract. This will make him an unrestricted free agent who is free to negotiate with any other team.
While he is no longer the MVP-caliber star, Westbrook's talents and experience are still in demand.
At his age, he will likely sign with a contender in hopes of securing his first-ever NBA title. In no particular order, here are a few teams that can add the 2017 league MVP to their roster for next season.
5 NBA teams that can add Russell Westbrook to their roster for the 2024-25 season
#1. Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have the stars needed to be considered serious playoff contenders but do not have the right supporting cast. One of the positions they need to address is their lead guard, and what better way to address that than by adding a veteran hungry for an NBA championship?
Additionally, this sets up a reunion that will surely have NBA fans clamoring as Russell Westbrook will once again be on the same roster as Kevin Durant.
#2. OKC Thunder
Speaking of reunions, why not have Russell Westbrook come back to the team that drafted him, the team where he won his sole MVP award? The OKC Thunder have a young squad that might be just a piece or two away from becoming legitimate contenders.
Perhaps adding their former MVP to that collection of talent is the missing piece of the puzzle that will propel them into true championship threats.
#3. Denver Nuggets
Since winning the 2023 NBA championship, it seems like the Denver Nuggets' supporting cast has gotten weaker. They lost some of their X-factor when Bruce Brown and Jeff Green left last year, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope might be on the way out this year.
Adding a sparkplug who'll come off the bench like Russell Westbrook could change that trend. Westbrook might just be one player but acquiring him could be the move that jumpstart the Nuggets' retooling effort.
#4. Philadelphia 76ers
With Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid at the helm, the Philadelphia 76ers are easily a playoff team in the East. Now, they just need to add the right supporting cast to become true contenders.
Reports suggest that they are interested in adding a third star, and while Russell Westbrook no longer fits that description, he could still be a vital addition to a team that is primed for a title run.
#5. San Antonio Spurs
Unlike the other teams on this list, the San Antonio Spurs might not be a playoff team, let alone compete for a title in 2025. Adding Russell Westbrook to the team will not change that, but it will have its benefits.
They just drafted a promising guard in Stephon Castle and they need to pair Victor Wembanyama with a point guard to unlock a new aspect of his game. Adding Westbrook to the team not only addresses their need for a point guard but also gives Castle a mentor.
It is a move that makes sense for the Spurs, and if it works out, Westbrook could ride out the rest of his career in San Antonio while they try to recapture their former glory.
Russell Westbrook was a solid contributor off the bench for the LA Clippers
Russell Westbrook only started 11 of the 68 games he played in 2023-24 for the LA Clippers. While this is not a role that NBA fans are accustomed to seeing from the former MVP, he seemed to adjust well.
As a backup point guard, Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game. No, it's nowhere close to the numbers he put up when he averaged a triple-double for a whole season, but it showed the league that he can still be effective.
He even received a few votes for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award.