The NBA landscape was rocked to its core once again on Friday night when Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Paul George was sent to the Los Angeles Clippers to team up with newly signed free agent Kawhi Leonard.
As a result of the George trade, former MVP Russell Westbrook is once again the odd man out as the lone star in Oklahoma City. That could lead to Westbrook being shipped out of Oklahoma City as well, with the Miami Heat as reported early suitors who “absolutely like” Westbrook, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. The Heat have been mentioned as suitors for a number of NBA stars since they managed to trade for four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler.
With Westbrook, they may actually have an opportunity to trade for another top-flight talent for a bargain price. The asking price certainly all depends on just how interested the Thunder are in moving on from the current face of their franchise.
If Westbrook were to come to Miami, it would certainly pose some incredible possibilities, and some very real challenges. The Heat would immediately be considered, at the very least, dark horse competitors in terms of competing for an NBA Finals appearance.
Though the question of whether or not Butler and Westbrook could mesh well would need to be answered. Both are incredibly strong personalities that love to have the ball in their hands in crunch time.
Still, it’s hard to imagine that Butler, who averaged 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game last season, and Westbrook, who averaged 22.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game in the 2018-19 campaign, wouldn’t be able to find great success in South Florida.
