Russell Westbrook could be on the move again, a new NBA trade rumor suggests.
The Washington Wizards guard is part of a blockbuster trade proposal that would ship him off to the Miami Heat in exchange for a stable of promising young players. While it’s not clear if the trade could come to fruition, the speculation comes as the Heat are at something of a crossroads after an early playoff exit. The team has been connected to a number of top guards, including Westbrook’s teammate.
Westbrook To Miami
A new trade proposal put forth by Fadeaway World would send Westbrook to South Beach instead of another rumored target — Westbrook’s teammate, Bradley Beal.
“The Heat have been linked to the Washington Wizards all season but in regards to Bradley Beal,” the report noted. “Instead, the Heat would be better off making a trade for their other superstar talent in Russell Westbrook. Coming off a successful season in which he averaged a triple-double for the fourth time in his career, the Heat could look to make a Big 3 with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.”
Deal Costly For Miami
As the report noted, Westbrook would come at a high price for the Heat. While the proposal didn’t have them parting with any draft picks, it would take a bevy of young talent to land Westbrook. Leading the deal is young sharpshooter Tyler Herro, who helped lead the team to an NBA Finals appearance as a rookie before dropping off a bit in his sophomore season. The Heat would also need to ship Goran Dragic, Kendrick Nunn, and KZ Okpala to complete the deal.
Heat At Crossroads
Whether they target Westbrook or not, the Heat could have some important decisions to make this offseason. The team failed to follow up its 2020 NBA Finals appearance, falling flat in a first-round playoff exit this year. As NBA.com noted, the team has to make decisions about a number of unrestricted free agents, including Victor Oladipo, Trevor Ariza, and Nemanja Bjelica. But the team could have other players in their sights, including a guard who already helped lead the Toronto Raptors to an NBA title.
Heat Could Target Kyle Lowry
As the NBA.com report noted, there has been widespread speculation that the Heat may want to target Raptors guard Kyle Lowry. As the report added, the upcoming draft lottery could determine whether he becomes a target.
“Miami doesn’t have a pick in the upcoming draft, but its fans should keep an eye on the draft lottery to see where Toronto lands. If the Raptors get a pick in the top five, their rebuild could become a retool, which might increase Lowry’s chances of staying,” the report noted.
