Lakers’ Russell Westbrook Floated As Trade Option For Knicks

Russell Westbrook
NBA Analysis Network

The New York Knicks have struggled recently. They have lost eight of their last nine games, as the decision to remove Kemba Walker from their starting lineup and rotation altogether has not created the spark they had hoped it would. Could Russell Westbrook be a potential option?

New York has struggled mightily since the lineup change was made. Walker wasn’t the sole issue facing the team, but he was the sacrificial lamb when it came to them trying to reverse their luck.

The Knicks look like a team destined to make a trade sooner than later. They knew their biggest offseason acquisitions, Walker and Evan Fournier, would lead to a drop in defense but hoped that their impact offensively would be enough to compensate for it. That has not been the case, leaving Tom Thibodeau scrambling for some answers.

Fournier had his flaws but has fallen well short of expectations the team had for him. If he is not scoring the ball with efficiency, he is a major negative on the court.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: New York Knicks Have Tried To Trade Kemba Walker

There aren’t any teams currently calling about Walker and the same can likely be said about Fournier. But, that could eventually change. Could the Los Angeles Lakers be someone that could look to make a deal with the Knicks?

Los Angeles may be having some buyers’ remorse about their big offseason acquisition of Russell Westbrook. While he has improved since some early-season struggles, he has not meshed with LeBron James and Anthony Davis as well as the organization had hoped they would.

Eric Pinkus of Bleacher Report suggested that the two marquee franchises could come together on a deal centered around the offseason moves both teams could be regretting now. 

“If Walker just doesn’t fit head coach Tom Thibodeau’s style, does Westbrook? The Knicks would have to mull that over cautiously.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: New York Knicks Have Tried To Trade Kemba Walker

Westbrook has his flaws (iffy shot selection, too many turnovers), but he plays hard and hasn’t missed a game this season. He may not be a perfect fit, but his passion and willingness to play heavy minutes—plus his nine All-Star nods and 2016-17 Most Valuable Player award—could be a draw for New York (12-16) in what has been a disappointing start to the season.”

Acquiring a big name on the wrong side of their prime is something you could guarantee the Knicks would do with previous regimes. This regime, led by Leon Rose and Scott Perry, feels different. They have a long-term plan and have been smart with how they handled the roster.

It is hard to imagine them being willing to take on Westbrook, but they are desperate for an answer at the point guard position. Westbrook’s hustle and heart is something that the Knicks could use more of.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: New York Knicks Have Tried To Trade Kemba Walker

Ultimately, this likely isn’t a route that the Knicks will go down. Westbrook doesn’t help their biggest issues, which are on the defensive end of the court. New York has big plans, which is why they structured the contracts they signed this offseason the way that they did. 

Russell Westbrook is someone they could have gotten in on the previous two offseasons and chose not to. They will once again pass in this situation.

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