The Knicks are on the “short list” of viable trade destinations for Rockets star Russell Westbrook, league sources tell Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link). Westbrook is reportedly seeking a deal out of Houston.
According to Stein, the Knicks have weighed the possibility of making a trade for Westbrook, and if they prove willing to absorb the money left on his contract (approximately $132MM over there years), “there is a trade to be made.”
Given the Knicks’ cap flexibility and their desire to get back into the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, it makes sense that they’d be linked to Westbrook. However, the belief is that they’re considering a wide number of possibilities with their two first-round picks and their projected cap room.
Ian Begley of SNY.tv noted earlier this week that people within the organization are wary about giving up too many assets in a trade for an expensive veteran like Westbrook or Chris Paul. The club has some extra first-rounders over the next few seasons and some young players with promise, but wants to retain enough pieces to eventually make a competitive trade offer for another star.
The Hornets, another Eastern lottery team with cap flexibility, have also been identified as a potential suitor for Westbrook. It remains to be seen how serious the Rockets are about moving the former MVP.
Brodie might be stuck in Houston until the all star break or next offseason
This is how you remember something
Westbrook contract remaining = luxury tax line
No one is trading for his awful contract lol
This is the Knicks we are talking about…
The Knicks shouldn’t have to trade several draft picks so for salary dump player like Westbrook or CP3.
Agreed but the problem for NYK is with the exception of Mitch Rob all of their young guys are either trash or trending in the wrong direction
DSJ, Frank Nit, Knox….are any of them even rotation guys on half decent squad?
I had my fingers crossed DSJ would blow up a little in NYK but it hasn’t happened
If the Rockets can trade away Wrestbrook and get out from under his contract while couple a couple of decent pieces, I’m all for it. Irrelevant side note: waiting for Strike Four to show up and remind everyone that Houston sports fans live rent free inside his head via putting them down for no reason. The Astros beat his A’s so he ran from Astros articles on traderumors (he used to be all over them) to Rockets articles on hoopsrumors. Lol.
NY could get Chris Paul without giving up Barrett or Robinson, but if they want to get Russ then they will have to give up one of their top players to the Rockets.
If russ to Knicks happens you will either be extremely disappointed or really talking yourself into Julius randle , Bobby portis ,Dennis Smith jr And whoever the Knicks take at pick 27 !
Harden would most likely fetch a better return so if they trade him that can make up for the Wrestbrook return.
They don’t wanna trade harden though ! Maybe they see how harden with no co star but a deep cast of good role players can take the rockets ! Clearly harden and russ both feel more comfortable And or happy not playing with a high usage co star ! Klay or Beal would be perfect for either but there’s no way for any of those duos to happen
comedic gold from the delusional rockets fan, once again
“if they want to get Russ then they will have to give up one of their top players to the Rockets.”
NOPE
Keep dreaming. No one is giving up young talent. He wants out. He’s 32 and owed 137 million. You and these cap junkies live in a fantasy world. Think about who would realistically want Westbrook, for whatever reason. Then even though he doesn’t have a no trade clause. I’m sure they want him to agree to the trade. This way they will get best deal, right. Only reasons a team wants him. And remember they have to and want to pay his salary.
1- Teams are contenders with him. Or he adds to their contending team. (Clippers, Bucks). Example
What do they give you. None have high picks or picks. They are not going to gut their team just for Westbrook. Then they won’t be contenders.
2 – A franchise that is rebuilding. Needs a real star and leadership. To take franchise back to prominence. (Knicks, Hornets) Example.
Both gave young talent and a high pick. So can field a young talented team around Westbrook. But they are not giving up their team for reaching the playoffs. Playing in a big time city like NY. Brings benefits to Westbrook personally.
So maybe, Sixers, Knicks, Clippers, Hornets probably best fits for Westbrook. Whole point of getting a disgruntled star. Is not giving up much for him. Plus taking on contract at end of their career.
Now Sixers have stars who are a bad mix or can trade, Harris, Horford. Knicks gave expiring contracts and picks. Knicks are not giving up this yrs #8. Unless that’s all they want plus expiring contracts. Hornets have young talent and expiring contract too.
I guess Rockets can get three teams to compete for him. It would be for best offer, makes sense. But you are not getting max value from anyone. And certainly not you gave up for him. Just ONE yr ago.
So grow up and get REAL.
I floated a trade when they lost in playoffs. Sixers
Harris, Richardson, #34 pick, #38 pick.
Now this Knicks one
Randle, Portis, DSJ, 2020 #27 pick, 2021 #1 pick Dallas
Clippers nor Hornets nor anyone is giving Rockets better than that.
After all that I didn’t think you would be offering so much for him!
That last proposal could be dialed back. I think most GMs after thinking hard on RW will let him be someone else’s problem, and the “market for” RW will shrink until he’s almost salary.
Then the season will start and he will tear opponents up while everyone can only watch… including his teammates! Then whatever momentum, freshness and development they had will be lost.
Unless RW is not the sourness culprit. In that case, apologies to RW. Maybe the bubble made him play psycho and now the bubble’s gone. But he’s talking about his OKC setup, not about being a forward.
He’s still a big talent. Frankly I think Sixers is best place for him. And that’s best offer getting Harris. He’s a better mix with Harden. Knicks I hear you. But we don’t want Portis, Randle or DSJ anyway. So what are we really giving up. 1 or 2 picks.
With Westbrook at PG he can lead team. Plus he brings excitement to MSG. One thing I know about Westbrook is he competes hard all the time. NY loves that in their star athletes.
Problem is Knicks have no depth w/ young guys. Mitch and RJ are the only half decent ones (and I’m not convinced even they move the needle for HOU).
You trade those two for Russ and Russ is playing with … DSJ and Knox? Eh, why even bother then if you’re NYK?
If the Knicks acquire RW, effectively giving up 132 mm of cap space, it will mark the effective end of the Rose & Co. era before its first game. I’ll believe it when it happens.
You have no idea how cap space works.
Really? Are you sure? LOL. Perhaps you should brush up on salary dump trades, to understand the market for cap space. It’s real, and basic, whether you understand it or not.
About as sure as I am that only a d-bag laughs at their own non-funny sarcastic jokes.
I was laughing at your ignorance of the salary cap.
Is that a d-bag thing? Sorry. But it’s funny that someone would make a statement purport to have knowledge in an area, when the statement itself indicates they have none. At least to me.
Nah, DXC… higlew is right, you don’t underside salary cap. If you wouldn’t have phrased it the way you did.
Salary = 33.3% of tax line
If a team has 3 Westbrook salaries and 11 old vets mins
132 + 30 = 162
That is over 100 million tax bill
If all they have to give up are spare parts why not sell some jerseys? Randle, Portis, Ellington, Taj are not part of the LT plan. But they’d be nice role players in Houston.
I think that after sleeping on it for a night , any potential Westbrook destination team will say no thanks to paying him FORTY SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS when he is 35 years old. Wanna pay some of these players that amount? Then you’re stuck with them. You might find a team desperate to make the p!ayoffs like the Suns consider trading for CP (I’ll believe that when I see it) but I bet If the Rockets move Westy, they’ll have to give him away for the Knicks’ #27 pick.
Exactly right, couldn’t agree more.
Knowing the Knicks though…they’re probably going to do that smh lol
People will pay that for several reasons and you gave one— desperate to make the playoffs. No reason to be “stuck with him”. When I point out KezarMike’s contradiction, I’m not contradicting my earlier post on this page about his issues… but other teams have overpays or obsoletes of their own to dispose of. Someone will make an offer and GM Stone will have to chose.
I’m not surprised mfs!!
Come on HORNETS!!! Make a deal for Brodie!!
I keep saying the only trades that can be made for him are Westbrook for draft picks or Westbrook for an insignificant addition on a bad contract.
Houston’s not going to get anything for him other than picks.
Harden has run off three coaches. One GM. Has run off Howard, Paul, Now Westbrook. There are players there not grumbling. Westbrook will not be the only one wanting out. These are the Rockets. With no draft picks in near future. I was owner. I blow it up NOW. Before Harden blows it up on me. Move Westbrook for best deal. Then hope and pray Harden brings back plenty. Better to sell high than have to sell low.
I am not a Harden fan. But there are teams out there who would want him.
Other players are grumbling there, Houston. I meant
Knicks gave plenty of cap space. And paying tax is not an issue for NYK. Especially if they believe in the team. It’s three yrs. We can still sign a young FA next yr. And trading a big contract on last yr is doable. Knicks are only on hooks for 82 mill next yr. Plus if Randle is involved (20 mill) that’s 20 mill less. And we have 15 mill coming off next yr. His contract is not an issue for us. His stats last yr with a team he don’t want to be with were 36 mins a gm. 27.2 pts – 7 ast – 8 reb.
He plays a position of need. And is one of best 2way players. Love to have Westbrook for three yrs. But we aren’t giving up the team. Expiring contracts a young player and Dallas pick
Knicks should just say F it and do it right?
Trade Randle, Portis, and DSJ to the Rockets for Westbrook
Trade Taj, Ellington, Ntilikina, Knox, and Bullock to the Thunder for CP3.
Thunder and Rockets would have expiring contracts they could use if they wanted to make a deadline deal or clear a ton of cap space for 21.
Knicks would have 2 names, 2 jerseys to sell, 2 reasons to watch the Knicks.
Probably could get Boogie to sign. Maybe another low $ vet front court player.
CP3, Westbrook, RJ, Robinson + a 4 and Payton 6th man off the bench.
I am not a die hard NY KNICKS fan. I’m from NY but, ALWAYS been a BULLS fan since ’87. That being said I’ve since been living in Florida the past 20 yrs. Anyhow since the Knicks have been an irrelevant team for some time now, I’ve taken pity for them as a franchise and have taken a sort of concern for them; dare I say a liking. More so this ‘liking’ is probably inspired by me wanting THEM & my Bulls to become respectable in the league, legitimate perennial contenders, and most importantly shall their rivalry be renewed and be meaningfull in the playoffs. Sure it won’t have the same allure, the same ‘AIR’ as the rivalry of old. The Jordan vs Ewing, the MJ vs. Starks, Pippen vs. Xavier McDaniel, Charles Smith but you get my point.
Well, to get to my point. In the Knicks’ concern. I feel there IS Nothing to weigh. So long as you have the assets to go GET a Westbrooks, you make that executive decision. of course. You are trying to change the culture of this franchise you are trying to lure big name free agent to this ball Club and by getting a Westbrook on your squad to me in my opinion that is a first step towards achieving that goal sure you will be giving up quite a few immediate assets but intern you know what you’re getting in a Westbrook. You know you are getting a triple-double machine. That being said you have 1 Cog in trying to build a well-oiled machine. At that point you have a big-name star and you can build upon that as far as having a reason for another star wanting to come to New York because the Allure of playing in the mecca of basketball and someone wanting to play alongside a Westbrook. In fact I would even consider packaging this year’s first-round draft pick 4 Westbrook unless you feel you have a good chance of packaging your pic and other pics to move up and this year’s draft to get a Lamelo Ball, and as a long shot and crazy thought maybe even trying to sign his brother as a undrafted free agent and getting liangelo ball to see where you’re at. But all that was still the intention of trading for hey Russell Westbrook. I don’t know guys let me know what you think of course this is my opinion and as I’ve stated before this isn’t my ballclub who I root for just a ball club that I’ve recently taken a liking for but just out of concern, and out of competitive balance in the east