DSJ, Julius and one of Dallas first rounders
for
RUUSSSSSSSSSSSELLLLLLLL......
[2023 #1]
Not sure Houston would bite, but that seems sensible and fair, even if my inclination is still to go slow. But I suspect Thibs wants to come out of the gate with his foot to the pedal. I believe it hinges on the draft. If we stay at #8, if we have a shot at Haliburton, or, if Russell is on ice....
1 Minnesota Anthony Edwards 6-5 225 SG Georgia Fr.
2 Golden St. James Wiseman 7-1 235 C Memphis Fr.
3 Charlotte Onyeka Okongwu 6-9 235 PF/C USC Fr.
4 Chicago LaMelo Ball 6-8 180 PG USA Intl.
5 Cleveland Obi Toppin 6-9 220 PF Dayton So.
6 Atlanta Patrick Williams 6-7 215 SF/PF Florida St. Fr.
7 Detroit Isaac Okoro 6-6 215 SG/SF Auburn Fr.
8 New York Tyrese Haliburton 6-5 185 PG Iowa St. So.
9 Washington Deni Avdija 6-9 210 SF Israel Intl.
10 Phoenix Killian Hayes 6-5 195 PG France Intl.
11 San Antonio Devin Vassell 6-7 200 SG Florida St. So.
12 Sacramento Saddiq Bey 6-8 215 SF Villanova So.
13 New Orleans Kira Lewis 6-3 170 PG Alabama So.
14 *Boston Aaron Nesmith
Think anyone related to Paul Silas would smack his lips over Randle.
And I believe DSJ would benefit playing with Harden and Gordon, as it would open up driving lanes for him.
Wake me when it happens.
Why would I put my heart into this as opposed to CP3? Especially considering Westbrook is a double edged sword. Alive with minuses and plusses.
He is a mediocre three point shooter. Though in his best season with OKC, back in 2015-16, he got up to .343% [200-583], but sliding since.
He is a high volume shooter.
Purportedly a moody motherfucker.
And he just turned 32. Which is slightly more tenable than 35, even though his contract is a year longer and just as scary [41,44, 47]
Still, not so gray around the fringes.
As the dominant ballhanlder his last four seasons in OKC, he averaged 10.5 assists a game. And 6.0, 9.0, 9.2, 9.6 boards.
27.2 ppg, 7.9 reb, 7.0 assist last season with Houston.
Not a leader?
If RW is your bell cow, as he would be in NYC, you better believe he would be a leader, by example.
I suspect Thibs wants to play with pace, and RW surely ups the pace.
I suspect Thibs wants someone to drive to the hoop and break down the D and open up deiving lanes and easier shots.
I suspect Thibs wants someone who raises the level of intensity.
Let's put it this way.
My son in law took me to a Charlotte-OKC game in 2018-2019.
Hornets jumped on OKC.
In the second half, Wetbrook TOOK OVER.
I've said this before, but it bear repeating.
RW was like Barry Sanders in sneakers.
When he pushed the ball up court, his intensity was palpable, let alone the sheer sound of his sneakers on the floor....bambambam...the Hornets defenders were on their heels. He either finished himself, often with a +1, or kicked out to an open shooter.
The chemistry between Westbrook and the Garden Faithful would be electrifying.
And it had better be, given the guaranteed money involved.
I believe RW would be inspired by the Garden and by being THE MAN.
There is such a rain of BS and speculation busting out all over, any and all rumors needs be taken with a bag of salt.
Again, I like Randle, but he seems like a placeholder. His absence would leave a hole for sure, though perhaps an affordable FA might beckon.
AGAIN, I am not a proponent of THE BIG SPLASH, but if Rose wants to roll that way, well...and have someone eating such an immense piece of the cap, if the price is only [ONLY], Julius, Dennis and the 2023 Dallas #1, well....
Poll
