There have been a lot of discussions this NBA offseason about what the Los Angeles Lakers are going to do with point guard Russell Westbrook. He has done himself no favors with the answers he provided at his exit interview and firing his long-time agent this offseason, as his already minimal value could be even lower.

The Lakers would love to make a trade involving Westbrook, but that is a tough sell. Teams aren’t knocking down the door for declining point guards that are owed $47 million and don’t seem willing to accept any suggested changes.

There is a chance that no trade is made and Los Angeles has to figure out what to do with him. It has been suggested that the Los Angeles Lakers just send him home, similarly to what the Houston Rockets did with John Wall during the 2021-22 season. The possibility of a buyout has also been floated around.

That has been mentioned as a possible route for any team that acquires him in a trade as well. Had a rebuilding team with cap space, such as the Indiana Pacers or San Antonio Spurs, joined to help facilitate a trade, they would likely buy him out.

Reaching free agency and getting to choose his next team would likely be ideal. He can scour the market and find the best situation for him. Could the Dallas Mavericks be that landing spot should a buyout occur? 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson shared a report that Dallas would be interested, on one condition. The condition is that Westbrook is willing to come off the bench, something that seems like a longshot right now. Ultimately, the decision to bring Westbrook on or not would come down to head coach Jason Kidd.

The Mavericks could certainly use some help in the backcourt. With Jalen Brunson leaving in free agency to sign with the New York Knicks, Spencer Dinwiddie is likely going to step into the starting lineup alongside Luka Doncic. Beyond them on the depth chart, the team is thin.

Frank Ntilikina would be the only other ball-handler on the roster with experience running the point guard position. That is something that needs to be shored up. Should Westbrook be willing to accept a role with the second unit, it is one he could thrive in playing against the opposing team’s bench and being afforded the chance to play more to his strengths.

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