Knicks on list of 'viable trade destinations' for Westbrook

Could the Knicks finally land the superstar the team has coveted for years with a trade for Russell Westbrook? Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Knicks on list of 'viable trade destinations' for Rockets' Russell Westbrook

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 11/13/20

Russell Westbrook has been the source of some major news and rumors the past few days after it was revealed the former MVP wants out of the Houston Rockets organization.

Now the question is. .. where will Westbrook be traded to? Well, Marc Stein of The New York Times reports that the New York Knicks are on a list of "viable trade destinations" for the talented point guard. The Knicks would have to be willing to eat the $130-plus million left on Westbrook's contract to make him their "centerpiece," Stein says.

New York has even weighed the idea of completing a blockbuster trade for the nine-time All-Star.

The Knicks are on the short list of viable trade destinations for Houston's Russell Westbrook, league sources say

If the Knicks prove willing to absorb the $130+ million left on Westbrook's contract to make him their centerpiece, there is a trade to be made

They have weighed it
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 13, 2020

There will be plenty of suitors for Westbrook, so it remains to be seen where he'll end up. With the Knicks franchise still in the dumpster when it comes to other organizations, Westbrook may not even want to be traded to New York. After all, he is in search of his first NBA title, and that's probably not something the Knicks can help him accomplish at the moment.

On top of the Knicks, the Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly interested in making a move for Westbrook, according to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer. This would be the more enticing destination for the 32-year-old, who would team up with the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

At the end of the day, Westbook's contract doesn't contain a no-trade clause, so Houston can deal him to whatever team will offer them the most in return. The Knicks could potentially offer more than the Clippers, though that's not certain.

When the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Westbrook to the Rockets in 2019, they reportedly included him in the process to make sure he ended up somewhere he wanted to go. It wouldn't be surprising to see Houston do the same and help him out.

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