Russell Westbrook appears to be the “who want me?” meme at this point.
An NBA coach recently advised Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra that the Heat should not sign Westbrook in free agency, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald reported this week. The former NBA MVP Westbrook has been mentioned as a potential option for Miami at point guard, but the aforementioned coach reportedly asserted to Spoelstra that Westbrook is difficult to coach.
This comes off the heels of another flattering claim that emerged earlier this week about Westbrook, who spent last season with the Sacramento Kings. Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer said during a livestream that he has not heard that the Kings would want Westbrook back “in any fashion” next season.
Westbrook turns 38 in November and remains an unsigned free agent. He played out last year on a $3.6 million veteran’s minimum contract with the Kings and averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game.
A nine-time NBA All-Star, Westbrook has always been an unpredictable player, but the cons far outweigh the pros of his game at this point. While his athleticism and his quickness used to make up for it, Westbrook at 18 years of NBA experience is now little more than his tendencies to torpedo offenses, put up empty numbers, and produce ugly, head-scratching turnovers.
As for the Heat, they need some help at the guard position to facilitate efficient offense around their new star duo in the frontcourt of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. That player is probably not Westbrook, and we recently heard that the Heat could go in a different direction with their backcourt signings instead.
