Atlanta Hawks could be a Russell Westbrook destination
The Rumor:
"Russell Westbrook wants out of Houston and the Hawks are among the potential suitors. – Multiple sources, most notably Bobby Marks of ESPN."
Love, like or Loathe:
Loathe.
Look, I’m not a Russell Westbrook guy. But I tried my best to see this from a non-biased view and still, I don’t see how he’d work in Atlanta.
Breaking: In telling Houston he wants out, Russell Westbrook has given them a list of teams he’d preferred to be traded to. On that list, the Milwaukee Bucks, The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Atlanta Hawks. League sources tell KXCN.
— Craigory Smith, KXCN (@nihilist_bucks) November 12, 2020
His slashing, midrange style of play is essentially the antithesis of Trae Young‘s playground style of play. Further, both need the ball in their hands at a high rate to be effective, which is why Westbrook and Harden didn’t work in Houston and Westbrook and Durant didn’t work in OKC.
Plus, almost everything that I said about Holiday applies to Russ. He’s aging (turned 32 earlier this week), had one of his worst seasons last year and at this point, is a real question mark in the locker room.
He’s still an All-Star level player and if the Hawks could get him for free, I’d be fine with that. But he’s not going to be free – he’s owed $132 million over the next three seasons (if he opts into his 2022-23 player option) and the Hawks would have to give up quite a bit in a trade for him.
Unlike Holiday, this would be a disaster trade and I hope the Hawks’ front office isn’t desperate enough to make such a move.
What do you think of these three Atlanta Hawks rumors?