Should Bulls add Russell Westbrook from buyout market?

April 16, 2024

Russell Westbrook on the Chicago Bulls isn’t the worst idea.

The reason is simple: The Bulls are desperate and, after another dormant trade deadline, in need of direction.

As a star player potentially on the cusp of becoming available via buyout, Westbrook suddenly represents the path of least resistance. Unlike in 2020, when Westbrook wanted out of Houston, his interests now better align with the Bulls.

It seems only a matter of time before the two sides unite and attempt to save each other from a forgettable season. There is reported mutual interest between Westbrook, 34, and the Miami Heat, as well as the LA Clippers.

Westbrook, a flawed and fading future Hall of Famer set to suit up for his fifth franchise, is a headstrong individual who likely feels he has plenty left to offer. He was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to Utah last week, ending a tumultuous two-season tenure with his hometown franchise. Meanwhile, the Bulls are floundering and flirting with failing to qualify for the Play-In Tournament. They enter Monday’s matchup against Orlando in 10th place at 26-30.

While the plights and potential marriage might be imperfect, it reminds us of Westbrook’s motto: “Why not?”

We’ll soon learn whether the Bulls get it done. Here are five pros and five cons of Chicago adding Westbrook as a midseason boost.

Pros

Westbrook is an upgrade: There is no denying this fact. Second-year point guard Ayo Dosunmu has underwhelmed as the fill-in for Lonzo Ball, and the Bulls don’t have many other options. Alex Caruso is better off the ball. Coby White seems to have lost the trust of the coaching staff operating as the lead facilitator. Westbrook would improve stability at the position. If the Bulls land Westbrook and a two-dozen-game trial goes well, who’s to say Westbrook and the Bulls don’t re-up next season? Ball’s return remains up in the air, and even when he returns, the Bulls need additional backcourt talent. Westbrook isn’t the ideal fit. But he’s become the best available. And the Bulls are in no position to turn down talent.

Competitive edge: Few are more driven than Westbrook or match his relentlessness. The lifeless stretches — sometimes entire performances — that have become commonplace for the Bulls would cease. Westbrook will infuse the Bulls with nightly energy and intensity. Given the way the Bulls have casually strolled through this season, that trait alone almost makes Westbrook worth adding.

Leadership: Westbrook has an insanely dominant personality. Others often gravitate to him and follow his lead. Some people just have that effect. Westbrook possesses it in abundance. A locker room lacking vocal leadership could greatly benefit from Westbrook’s no-nonsense, give-it-to-you-straight style. He’s direct, unapologetic and not just comfortable in uncomfortable moments but seemingly thrives in them. If the Bulls are looking for a spark plug, which they are and should be, Westbrook is as electric as they come.

Versatility: Let’s not forget he’s the triple-double king, with an NBA record 198 to his name. Westbrook still can stuff the stat sheet, and his triple-double threat will help bring the Bulls better balance while shoring up their occasional rebounding issues. His speed and force from end to end can ignite the Bulls’ transition game. His attacks on the rim will help generate easier buckets. And his facilitating could help unlock more wrinkles in the offense. In essence, he gives the Bulls many more options.

Cost: If the Bulls land Westbrook, he’ll likely come on a minimum deal. The Bulls are narrowly below the tax threshold, and given their history of avoidance it would be shocking to see them decide to take on the penalty for Westbrook. Assuming a potential Westbrook signing is a minimum contract that keeps the Bulls out of the tax, the potential reward greatly outweighs the risk. What the Bulls can’t offer in money, they can more than make up with in minutes.

Cons

Shooting is a shortcoming: He’s a 30 percent 3-point shooter for his career. This season, he’s shot 29.6 percent on 4.1 3-pointers per game. The Bulls need more marksmen, not more liabilities. For all of Westbrook’s valuable qualities, this one alone would wreck the Bulls’ offense. Ball, remember, shot 42.3 percent on 7.4 3s per game last season. That’s what made him such an ideal fit. He brought all the versatility of Westbrook and added substantially more value by being able to stroke it from 3-point range.

Defense is a deficiency: Westbrook gets a lot of credit for playing hard but rarely does that description refer to defense. Throughout his career Westbrook has coasted defensively, never making an NBA All-Defensive Team despite being hailed as the most athletic point guard in NBA history (with all due respect to Derrick Rose). He has moments where he floats, fails to fight over screens, doesn’t get back in transition and loses his assignment. An aloof defender is the last thing the Bulls can afford to add. Their perimeter defense already is problematic. Westbrook wouldn’t help. He’d likely make things worse.

Turnovers are too frequent: Westbrook always has been a high-volume turnover guard. In the past, his strengths outweighed his weakness. That might no longer be the case, especially if he’s being counted on as the primary decision-maker. Westbrook ranks third on the NBA’s all-time turnover list. He’s finished in the top six in turnovers in 14 of his 15 seasons. The lone exception came during the 2013-14 season when he played a career-low 46 games due to knee surgeries.

Health concerns: The last thing the Bulls need is another guard with a history of knee surgeries. Westbrook has been healthy this season. But his history can’t be ignored. He has undergone five knee surgeries since 2013. While flashes of his former athleticism are seen on occasion, Westbrook has started his descent. The Bulls have to ask themselves if Westbrook, in a featured role, still can consistently give them what they need.

Accountability: Westbrook does what he wants. He did under Billy Donovan for four seasons in Oklahoma City. Nothing suggests he won’t now 4 1/2 seasons later in Chicago. Donovan has some excellent qualities as a head coach, most notably his consistent daily approach and demeanor. But from the time he entered the NBA in 2015, Donovan has carried a reputation as a player-friendly coach. It’s a description that can carry a negative connotation when assigned to non-confrontational coaches who overly cater to their star players. Donovan doesn’t fall into that category. But adding Westbrook to a mix that already includes stars DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević could be playing with dynamite. But what other options do the Bulls have? Desperate franchises do desperate things.

(Photo of Russell Westbrook: Jeff Haynes / NBAE via Getty Images)

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