2. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers only make sense for Russell Westbrook if the team does not bring back Collin Sexton this offseason. The Sexton situation is an interesting one as he seemed to be en route to getting a big payday this offseason.
However, he got hurt at the beginning of the season and the Cavaliers ended up getting better as a result. It allowed Darius Garland to have a bigger role on the team. Sexton suddenly was not the same priority that he was before.
If Sexton does not return to Cleveland then the guard depth is going to be really thin in Cleveland. Rajon Rondo is the only true guard depth option that can play NBA minutes and even that is a stretch.
Heck, I would not completely rule out the Cavs bringing in Westbrook if Sexton returns. The play styles don’t totally match with two ball-dominant guards but the Cavaliers could try and do the same kind of three-guard lineup that the Thunder did with Chris Paul three years ago.
It is much more likely without Sexton than it is with him but either way, the Cavaliers are not winning the title and might look to sell some tickets with Westbrook to elevate the Cavs out of the play-in. They were not a play-in team last year but they might be this year with the East getting so much better around them.