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Top 3 Russell Westbrook trade ideas for this offseason

By Jack Simone

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 05: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on April 05, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 05: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on April 05, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Russell Westbrook ideas
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 23: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a three point shot as RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks defends at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2021 in New York City, Top 3 Russell Westbrook trade ideas for this offseason. 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. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Top 3 Russell Westbrook trade ideas for this offseason: 1. New York Knicks

Knicks receive: Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker

Lakers receive: Julius Randle, Evan Fournier, Kemba Walker

Send Russell Westbrook to the Big Apple. I think this is by far the best trade on this list and a move that would work out well for both parties involved.

Look. As much as Julius Randle will say he wants to stay in New York and play for the Knicks, it’s time to cut the cord. Just one year after he won Most Improved Player, it’s clear that the Knicks made a mistake when they signed him to a massive contract.

In turn, it only makes sense that the Lakers and Knicks swap two of the worst contracts in the league for each other. New York fans might not be happy to get Westbrook, but here’s why they should be.

First of all, unlike Kemba Walker (no offense to Kemba), Westbrook has a proven track record of making his teammates better. You can mock his triple-doubles all you want, but he gets his teammates good looks.

For a young, up-and-coming Knicks team, that’s exactly what they should want. Westbrook doesn’t have to play 40 minutes a night but giving him 25 minutes where all he does is make plays for the young guys around him sounds pretty nice.

Most importantly, though, after just one year with Westbrook, the Knicks would be free. So even if it ends up being the worst year ever (which I don’t think it would be), he’d be off the books by the next season.

New York should capitalize on Los Angeles’ desperate desire to get rid of Westbrook as a method to dump the rest of Randle’s contract. This is the best move.

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