Dallas Mavericks
Russell Westbrook’s fit with the Dallas Mavericks is also questionable. We just saw him struggle to provide LeBron James with secondary ball-handling. Why should it look any different with Luka Doncic?
At the same time, Doncic does need relief. With Jalen Brunson’s free agency, if he were to depart from the Mavericks, there’d be more of a need for a third guard alongside Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie.
Arguably, he just doesn’t need the type Westbrook provides. If the former MVP did land in Dallas, he’d have to change his game. On the other hand, that’s something he may have to do wherever he goes.
Perhaps we’ve made too much of Westbrook’s decline. At 33, it should be assumed that he’ll begin to transition into a lesser role.
If he was willing to do so, Westbrook could still make for a dynamic sixth man for the Mavericks. He could still be the do-it-all focal point he’s grown accustomed to being. He’d just be doing so alongside reserves.
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Whether he can accept that role with the Mavericks is a different question. He notoriously bristled at the notion of accepting a bench role earlier this season. If he’s unable to come to terms with his new standing in the NBA, he may find himself in an even worse position:
Out of the league entirely.
