The biggest goal for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason is to trade Russell Westbrook and if LA does accomplish that goal, Westbrook likely won’t spend very long on his new team. The team that acquires him will likely buy him out to save some money and give Westbrook a chance to sign with a team that wants him.
Westbrook would be the most polarizing NBA buyout signing perhaps in NBA history. It is extremely unclear what his value would be. The pedigree is there but Westbrook simply does not produce towards winning basketball. It would be very interesting to see how a Westbrook market pans out.
While he has been awful for the Lakers, if John Wall can get a two-year contract after he played poorly (and then didn’t play for a year), then Westbrook will get something as well. But who would bite?
3 teams that could sign Russell Westbrook if the Lakers trade him:
1. Washington Wizards
Out of every potential team that could sign Russell Westbrook, the Washington Wizards by far make the most sense. While Washington traded Russ a year ago, they would certainly welcome him back on a minimum contract.
Westbrook and Bradley Beal had great chemistry together and Beal really did seem to enjoy playing alongside Russ. Once Beal got hurt, Russ actually elevated the team into being a play-in team, which is what he does. Westbrook’s best trait is making non-playoff teams into a lower seed that loses in round one of the playoffs.
Washington does not really have a true point guard on the roster. Tenth overall pick Johnny Davis is the best option they have and he is going to need time to develop in this league. Westbrook would lessen the load on Davis and would help Washington win more games, albeit he would not drastically move the needle.