The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly kicking the tires on a trade for Washington Wizards point guard, Russell Westbrook. Marc Spears of ESPN stated on July 21st that the Lakers have talked about sending Kyle Kuzma, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Dennis Schröder to Washington. It is currently unknown if the Wizards would accept such a trade.
But the thought of a Westbrook trade would create an interesting exercise: which teams are a perfect fit for Westbrook if he was traded? The answer is teams that would allow him to have the ball in his hands.
NBA trade rumors are swirling, and Washington Wizards All-Star Russell Westbrook finds himself in the middle of them. Could he be on his way out?
Westbrook has excelled since 2015 when he can create his offense. For example, Westbrook has averaged 6 transition possessions since 2015, shooting 53.9 percent from the field on 4.4 shots per game.
The shooting percentage allowed him to average 6.5 points per game in transition: 25.5 percent of his scoring output. Westbrook was able to complement his transition production with isolation production as he has averaged 5.5 isolations per game since 2015, shooting 37.8 percent from the field on 4.6 shots per game. The field goal percentage has been the catalyst for him, averaging 4.6 points per game: 18 percent of his scoring output.
Westbrook has also had some success as a pick and roll ball handler as he has averaged 7.6 pick and rolls per game, shooting 43.9 percent from the field on 5.5 attempts per game. The shooting percentage has helped him average 6.4 points per game: 25.5 percent of his scoring output.
Two teams would potentially use Westbrook’s skillset: the LA Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers.