Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni got the ax after the team got booted out from the NBA semis, courtesy of the Los Angeles Lakers, and the move triggered speculations of more changes to come in the offseason. It is said that Russell Westbrook could be traded away and his most likely destination - the New York Knicks.
Westbrook has been the usual suspect when it comes to trade rumors that touch on the possible changing of personnel in Houston. The reason is simple - for the Rockets front office, it seemed easier to keep James Harden and build a team around him. That is why Westbrook must be the one to go.
Should that be the case in the offseason, one NBA executive appeared convinced that Westbrook should consider linking up with the Knicks where his MVP quality will likely be utilized to the max level.
"The [New York] Knicks might be one of the only teams that could be a fit for Westbrook," Fadeaway World reported the executive as saying, citing the report from Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.
The observer also suggested there seemed to be no other options for Westbrook, at least not a team that will see the superstar flourish to a higher level than he is right now. And the pairing should be perfect as Westbrook would be joining a squad where he will be the main man.
The Knicks could be the outfit that will pave the way for the nine-time All-Sar to finally own an NBA ring.
As for the Knicks, they are in search of the man to lead them and the 31-year-old could be the one they were looking for. The team has nothing to lose if a deal on Westbrook can be realized. The man is a certified superstar and given the perfect crew, which the Knicks can provide, he is certainly suitable to wage a campaign that will lead to the NBA Finals.
And Westbrook will bring with him the star power that should motivate the Knicks to make a run for the title.
Clutch Points said gunning to acquire the Rockets star is doable for New York. Westbrook's deal with Houston will not expire until 2023 and that should mean it will cost to sign the superstar. But the Knicks have the cap space and the assets to make the case for Houston to let go of Westbrook.
The only downside for New York on the possible trade is that Westbrook is not exactly young. He is turning 32 this November and for the Knicks that will mean a limited number of playing years, which also translates to diminishing opportunities for winning the NBA championship.
