New York Knicks
The Knicks might be the most logical landing spot for Russell Westbrook, both from a pure need and from a salary cap perspective.
The Knicks have the space to take on Westbrook, and they desperately need a star of his stature.
New York typically strikes out on stars in free agency, but Westbrook would be acquired via trade. That’s not to say that Westbrook might not have some say over where he’s traded. But the roughly $132 million balance on his contract over the next three years could limit his suitors.
Westbrook would immediately become the face of the franchise, its biggest star since the early days of the Carmelo Anthony era.
Lastly, a bit of a subplot: We know about the issues between Westbrook and Kevin Durant when Durant left Oklahoma City to join Golden State. Durant and Kyrie Irving then spurned the Knicks last year to join the rival Nets.
It would be quite a response for the Knicks to acquire Durant’s former co-star in Westbrook, in what could eventually become a battle for New York.
