LA Clippers: 3 reasons not to trade for Russell Westbrook

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 12: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Houston Rockets during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 12, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Reason 2 the LA Clippers shouldn’t trade for Russell Westbrook: The fit

So, if we ignore the money coming in and the LA Clippers are able to get to somehow Westbrook on the roster while hanging on to Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, fit becomes an issue.

Westbrook notoriously dominates the ball. Even this past season while partnered beside James Harden, his usage rate was 34.4%, the fourth-highest of his career.

Why is that an issue?

It means the ball is in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George’s hands less. While Russ does have solid assist numbers, it just doesn’t seem like the most productive route to take the ball out of two better player’s hands.

There’s also the issue of his shooting. The Clippers need more spacing around the two stars and Westbrook’s poor shooting would allow teams to pack the point a little more. Allowing Russ to jack up uncontested three-pointers might be a very sound strategy with extra defenders committed to PG and Kawhi.

Sure, he was fine with Kevin Durant and James Harden back when Oklahoma City had all three but the league has changed since then. We also have seen Russ succeed next to PG at Oklahoma City but once in the playoffs, their shortcomings became apparent. I can’t see a change of scenery making that much of a difference.

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