The Knicks maybe, maybe interested in trading for Russell Westbrook … at the right price

Russell Westbrook is up for grabs, and the Knicks – apparently among a small group of potential business partners – have had talks with the Houston Rockets over a deal that would bring the fiery former MVP to New York.

The idea of ​​Westbrook being traded to the Knicks has been turned uncomfortably on us like lava lately, and on Friday, the molten magma blew up the rumor mill.

That’s right, the Knicks are “on the short list of viable business destinations” for Westbrook, who turned 32 this week (happy Birthday!) and owes more than $ 130 million over the next three seasons. Wrangling Westbrook would be a successful first step for Leon Rose, who has mostly worked in the shadows since making his debut as team president just before the coronavirus disrupted the Knicks’ 2019-20 campaign. But would that be a smart move?

Before trying to answer this question, it’s important to recognize that Jonathan Macri of the Knicks Film School reports that RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson, and possibly other key young cogs, are not on the table. , nor any of New York’s own draft picks. . It’s reassuring and a step in the right direction for the franchise.

Meanwhile, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Westbrook’s services market is not exactly booming, so maybe the Knicks could find it on the cheap.

Yet the question remains. Should the Knicks trade for Westbrook, especially if they don’t have to give up anything of great importance? As a spectator, the easiest thing to do is be extreme in both directions.

Trading for Westbrook would suck! At best, the Knicks will be a low-ranked playoff team in the East. They’ll probably never get out of the first round.

Trading for Westbrook would be great! Maybe the Knicks will be a low ranked playoff team in the East. They might even get out of the first round!

Not to get all metaphysical, but there’s no way of knowing how trading for Westbrook would work because the future hasn’t arrived yet. The multiverse theory would argue that there are endless possibilities.

Here are some things we do know: Russ would immediately become the alpha dog of a squad full of innocent young puppies, meaning he would either eat the Knicks alive or guide them to respectability. Westbrook has won All-NBA honors nine times, including third team in each of the past two years. In the 2019-20 regular season, Westbrook averaged 27 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists as Robin in James Harden’s Batman, but injuries contributed to a patchy performance in the bubble. He has undergone a variety of surgeries during his career, including several knee procedures, which are used for jumping.

There are strong arguments for and against getting Westbrook. For one thing, his contract is an albatross of epic proportions, and his acquisition would give the Knicks far less wiggle room when it comes to the salary cap for the next several years. On the flip side, what if the Westbrook-led Knicks were good and exciting enough to attract more stars to Madison Square Garden?

Let’s go back to that first hand, where we can see that Westbrook has had his issues with the media, which means things could get ugly if he’s unable to carry the Knicks on his shoulders. Finally, on the other hand again, where we are reminded that Westbrook is the ultimate contender who gives everything and clearly cares about winning.

This back and forth will continue in our heads until the trade moratorium is lifted and something actually happens. If Leon Rose is serious about getting our attention, he’ll shock everyone by swapping for Harden instead.