In an already bad free-agent class, the options for the Miami Heat are getting scarcer by the day.
However, in the aftermath of acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Heat are aiming to reacquire LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, over a dozen years after winning two titles with them, his most with any single team.
While the Heat’s offseason is already a success after acquiring Antetokounmpo, the rest of it will be affected by James’ decision, which has no timetable.
One shoe that could drop, depending on James’ decision, could be one of his former teammates, Russell Westbrook. And one team that could have interest in the 37-year-old’s services is the Miami Heat, according to the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy.
“Everybody is awaiting The Decision 2.0 from LeBron James, including another future Hall of Famer on the market,” Bondy wrote. According to a league source, Russell Westbrook is a candidate to join the Heat, but not if LeBron signs in Miami.”
The two-time scoring champion joining the team that James is not surprising in the slightest. James’ rift with the Lakers reportedly stemmed from the start of the Westbrook era in Los Angeles. And their relationship deteriorated from there.
Analyzing Russell Westbrook’s fit with the Miami Heat:
Miami has been linked to Westbrook dating back to the 2019 offseason — after the organization acquired Jimmy Butler.
Westbrook is far worse than he was then. Last year with the Sacramento Kings, the 18-year veteran averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He shot 42.7 percent from the floor and 33.8 percent from 3-point range.
The one aspect of Westbrook’s game that you can never question is his effort; his motor is a 12 out of 10 at all times. However, Westbrook’s production came on an oft-injured, tanking Sacramento Kings squad. He’s not a winning basketball player at this stage of his career.
Still, he’s likely one of the better ball-handling options available on the open market. Miami, which desperately needs ballhandling and shot creation, has three roster spots available and is less than $11 million away from the first apron hard cap. At this stage of free agency, Westbrook for the minimum isn’t the worst idea, but certainly one I would be overly thrilled with.
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Is the player old? Yes
Is the player past their prime former star? Yes
Will the player be on a low dollar contract? Yes
The Miami Heat will be interested.
Every time there’s a washed/near washed player, they are “rumored” to be a Miami Heat target.
Which is why we haven’t missed out on a single player yet
Will the players who we may want be willing to wait indefinitely? Which players do you think are in that group specifically? To your knowledge, has the Heat been talking to them? If available, it seems to me we could sign someone now and still leave room for LeBron.
Gary Trent just signed for like 15 mil per year. DeRozan, Beal, and any other guy we might be interested in, would easily sign for more than we can offer, yet they aren’t signed yet. I can guarantee you they have offers on the table right now for more than we can offer, but are waiting to see if what happens.
One more week
True, and fringe or older players have often been willing to sign for less, particularly if they’ve never won a ring. But, yeah, I don’t like this game by the king and that’s what it is. Hopefully he ends it soon.
Looney signed for $4 mil. Lunacy lol
I would tell him it’s assist first offense for his game. Just get the ball to Giannis/Bam and get out the way.
League source = Westbrook himself (?). Never been a winning player because he got stats at the expense of defense. His teams had to play 4 v 5 on defense with him. Sacramento got out of Westbrook defense experience but now has the same thing with Acuff
Per Google/AI:
Russell Westbrook is generally considered an inconsistent defender whose defensive impact rarely matches his elite physical tools. While he possesses exceptional strength, speed, and athleticism that allow him to be a lockdown defender in flashes, his career is largely defined by defensive lapses, gambling for steals, and losing his man to chase rebounds.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
He possesses a career Defensive Rating of 107.6, but the consensus among analysts and fans is that he never reached his full defensive potential.
Can Westbrook work out with Miami?
Westbrook could prove very valuable if he fully understands what is expected from him. No gambling, no cheating, consistent effort, run, pass rebound and score when open. No need for heroics. He just needs to play within himself without taking too many risks. If he can do that consistently he can get playing time and possibly help Miami win a title. If he can’t play according to the team’s requirements, he will be stuck on the bench.
You cant teach new tricks an old donkey.
No, but you can teach new behavior to someone who has never been held accountable to play the team’ style, not his own.
Years ago when I followed the Suns, a guy named Gerald Green played under control one season. It was one of the best of his career. Westbrook can do the same.
LAL, LAC DEN and SAC tenures weren’t exactly big success. If LBJ, Kawhi, Jokic couldn’t make him understand what it takes to be a team player, Bam and Giannis wont either.
Some players have the ability to adjust, some don’t. Westbrook belongs in the later category.
u give ware westbrooks motor to ware u have a perennial all star,is he better than dru at this stage thats debateable
Not a debate between Dru (a good defensive guard and point of attack defender) and Westbrook at all if you’re trying to win games
Westbrook can play defense. It’s never been made his top priority. Even at his age, he still can be a very good defender. He just has to decide to be
Please no AI scouting, Westbrook is the exact opposite of a lockdown defender. Kings had the worst defense in the league when he and DeRozan were on the court because Westbrook doesn’t compete on the defensive end, puts all his energy into his p/r/a line, has always played the same way.
so youd rather have no offense dru than prob hofer russ king of the triple doubles?i wouldnt
Dru shoots 33.8% 3PT for career, inconsistent shooting is the reason he doesn’t play more. Heat had a 113.8 defensive rating with him on the court last year, he makes a team better on defense. He checks one box for a Giannis team, good perimeter defense, potentially two with a better 3PT shot.
Westbrook shoots 30.8% 3PT career, and makes a team worse on defense because he doesn’t guard. He saves energy for offense, on defense only goes for stocks and rebounds
i love drus d.if he played 30 mins hed lead the league in steals.his first year he was making good % of shots but last year was bad.if he can make shots def have a role on team hes a very good defender.davs got to score double digits this year
Really?
I hope this is just a bad take.