Miami Heat $ 171 Million Question: Is Russell Westbrook the Right Target for Trade? | Bleacher's report

Spidey senses of Pat Riley began to tingle when Paul George was shipped from Oklahoma City.

Although this deal has shaken the world of basketball, he touched the Miami Heat president for a different reason:This last lawsuit was in progress.

Russell Westbrook, an eight-time All-Star, owed a ton of money over the next four seasons, suddenly moved into the NBA's only home that he did not have. never known. Before the next step for Brodie and Thunder was certain, the Heat had already made its appearance as a potential landing point, according to Sam Amick and Brett Dawson of The Athletic.

That's the way to do business Riley. In the official announcement of Jimmy Butler's acquisition by the club, Riley simply stated, "Whenever you can add a star four times to your list, you are doing so."

When it's an All-Star eight times, you're moving twice as fast, is not it? And when it's an All-Star looking for a change of scenery-Shaquille O Neal, Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway-Riley does not miss this opportunity.

So, could the decorated executive get closer to his target? It's really in this direction. Adrian Wojnarowski, of ESPN, said that Westbrook "welcomes the idea" of an exchange with OKC, that Miami has an interest and South Beach appeals to the former most useful player.

But how could a Westbrook blockbuster take shape? And is a Brodie-Butler couple the best way for the Heat to manage its future?

Let's dig in

The initial offer

In Oklahoma City, Westbrook is an icon. It did not only last longer than any other member of the 2012 finalists– who, you may remember, dropped the championship round at the Heat– but he also hinted at Kevin Durant's hope in first convincing George to stick around.

In Miami, Westbrook could serve as hope and perhaps remain the last to never bet against Riley. The Heat has entered its first dead season after Dwyane Wade, with no ceiling limit and limited assets. They could leave it after adding a pair of regular All-Star.

However, around the association, the prolific leader is polarized. Yes, it stacks the triple doubles, but it's an inefficient marker and a spinning machine. Yes, his unrelenting approach puts constant pressure on the opposing defenses, but how long can the 30-year-old play this style if he starts losing sport to Father Time?

These are difficult dynamics to manage, especially once you consider its cost. He is still four years old and has $ 171.1 million in his contract. In 2022-23, his 34-year season, he will hold a huge player option of $ 47.1 million.

The contract alone is expensive enough for some to wonder if Miami should have an asset to take it out of OKC:

Sorry, heat fans. This does not mean that you should expect Westbrook and its assets to move towards you. That said, it suggests that Miami would be well advised to start with a reasonable offer like this:

Miami Heat Receive: Russell Westbrook

Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Goran Dragic, James Johnson, Dion Servers, Duncan Robinson

Few will find an asset on the way to OKC, with the exception of believers in Robinson's potential as an outside shooter.

But instead of being on the hot seat for the entire Westbrook contract, the Thunder would be eliminated from Dragic after 2019-20 and Waiters and Johnson waiters here in the off season. Dragic is good enough to potentially bring back an asset when it is switched between now and the deadline, while others might have value as contracts expiring the following year.

The real question is whether thunder could sell that to his fans as a sufficient return for their last star. Our crystal ball does not buy it, but trade negotiations are easier to negotiate once a starting point has been reached.

The compromise

Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press

Westbrook's desire to head southeast will help the Heat cause. As Royce Young of ESPN Put the, thunder "wants to be right next to Westbrook" and "makes sure he goes to a destination that he prefers".

This gives Miami a little leverage, but not enough for a total frown.

Thunder fans only watched their net players (including high-profile prospect Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), five first-round selections and two Los Angeles Clippers selections in exchange for George. They added another future Denug Nuggets debut for Jerami Grant.

They can not separate from Westbrook without getting a choice or a notable perspective in return.

Miami can not provide a compensation project without involving a third team, as previous agreements prevent it from facing the first round before 2025. This focuses on the club's shallow pool of prospects, where it is hard to find a player that the Heat would give up and the Thunder would covet.

But let's try:

Miami Heat Receive: Russell Westbrook, Patrick Patterson, second round choice 2024 (via Memphis Grizzlies)

Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Goran Dragic, James Johnson, Dion's servers, Tyler Herro

It would be difficult to lose Herro less than a month after adding it to the 13th choice. The Heat has long needed a light shooting game, and it would be even more true if Butler and Westbrook were directing the show.

Despite everything, Miami sacrifices the unknown with Herro for Westbrook's celebrity. If Herro does not hit (a lot of 13th choices do not do it; for every Donovan Mitchell, there is a Georgios Papagiannis), history may remember this case of first-degree larceny.

As for OKC, the club would have a brilliant new prospect to parade in front of its fans and a potential intriguing potential partner for the Gilgeous-Alexander backcourt.

If a two-team contract fails, the final version is probably close. So, does it make sense for the Heat to make such a dive?

Risky bet but worthy of the heat

Miami does not have a clear succession plan to get out of the larger-than-life shadow of Wade.

The arrival of Butler has only solidified that much. The Heat will still have a hard time over the next two seasons, and none of its prospects are a star in the making.

This can make Miami's perpetual quest for maximum competitiveness feel claustrophobic. The ceiling should not be higher than in the playoffs, but the floor will never fall too far below the post-season run. The heat is functionally trapped on the treadmill of mediocrity. In the past five seasons, they have only participated in two playoffs and have won only one playoff victory.

The addition of Westbrook would be a way to access something different – and maybe something much better.

The Westbrook-Butler couple is not perfect. Butler does not take a lot of three (career 2.7 per game), and Westbrook does not make much (career 30.8 percent). The spacing could become particularly tight when both share the hardwood with Bam Adebayo, who is 3 -22 of 22 away in his first two seasons.

That said, this list would go from the absence of obvious offensive focal point to the sudden presence of two. It would also attract two or three players who prefer Riley's simple style and head coach Erik Spoelstra. Surround them with Adebayo, Justise Winslow and Derrick Jones Jr., and this group could make your opponents disappear with strength, tenacity and athletic tornado.

"They would be candidates," said Barry Jackson, Chauncey Billups of ESPN, the Miami Herald. "… The tenacity of these two guys, the heart, the will and the efforts of these two guys … I think they'll have a chance every night."

True, they could be a suitor in the sense that they need everything to make their way to escape East. But why could not they climb as high as No. 3?

The Toronto Raptors appear ready for freefall without Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. The Boston Celtics have smartly replaced Kyrie Irving by Kemba Walker, but Al Horford's move to Enes Kanter is a massive decline. The Indiana Pacers still have no second star for Victor Oladipo (who is still not healthy). The Brooklyn Nets will probably not have Kevin throughout the season.

Led by Westbrook and Butler, the Heat would have enough to reach the semi-finals of the conference. Some think it's not worth it, but the championship or bust mentality minimizes the importance of winning more than 50 games and playing multiple times in the playoffs. Grab some rebounds here, a person gets injured and you end up facing a place for the conference finale.

This is not a better reality than what Miami has now? The Heat could continue to wait for their books to be erased while cutting into the rest of Butler's premium, and they can never find a player of the caliber of Westbrook.

Riley's way is simple. If a star is available, catching it is the important part. You can find the rest later.

Trusting his instinct took this franchise a long way. So why stop now?

Zach Buckley covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @ZachBuckleyNBA.