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Minnesota Timberwolves: A look at a potential Russell Westbrook trade

By Adam Tayabali

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 7: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 7, 2019 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 7: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 7, 2019 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Verdict

One thing to remember is that Russell Westbrook is a lot of things. To his fans in OKC, he’s their loyal superstar and an athlete whose energy is rivaled by few. To others, he’s a stat-padder consumed with accumulating triple-doubles and the person responsible for driving away Kevin Durant and now Paul George.

Before trading for him, the Minnesota Timberwolves will have to determine what means more to Westbrook: triple-doubles or addressing his flaws in order to win.

Westbrook is a one-of-a-kind player and he can be a key contributor to a team with championship aspirations. It will require him to change his game, allowing others to make plays, even at the expense of his triple-doubles.

He can’t fight teammates for rebounds. He will also have to stop shooting 3s, as his 5.6 3-point attempts per game on sub-30 percent shooting from outside are unjustifiable. Is a young coach like Ryan Saunders really the one that can rein in the former MVP and get him to buy in?

Westbrook turns 31 next season. His offensive game has regressed, but he is still capable of bouncing back. The Timberwolves trading for him and getting him to buy in will be tough, but more moves will be required if they want to a serious contender.

Next. 2019 NBA free agency tracker - grades for every deal so far. dark

Finding and adding a talent like his through both free agency and the draft is tough for a small market team like the Timberwolves. They can see wait and see how their young core grows, but they only have a limited time before Karl-Anthony Towns decides he wants to try and win elsewhere. The clock is ticking.

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