Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Russell Westbrook and the Timberwolves need each other

By Jack Borman

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 7 : Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball during the game against Josh Okogie #20 of the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 7, 2019 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 7 : Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball during the game against Josh Okogie #20 of the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 7, 2019 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
Russell Westbrook Minnesota Timberwolves
Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Russell Westbrook and the Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves at an identical crossroads. They need each other, but they just don’t know it yet.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Russell Westbrook are standing at an identical crossroads. While both sides are looking to compete immediately, Westbrook and the Wolves are also each in need of a serious rebrand. Neither side knows it yet, but they need each other to bring about the dawn of respective new eras.

While rumors rage on about a potential trade focused on Russell Westbrook between the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Timberwolves continue to remain an afterthought in the Brodie Sweepstakes.

In a conference call with local reporters last week, Wolves’ first-year President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas insisted he was not done being aggressive to improve the roster.

After striking out on D’Angelo Russell, Timberwolves fans, including myself, thought that hope for acquiring star power this summer to alleviate the load of superstar center Karl-Anthony Towns was all but lost.

But then, in the wee hours of Saturday morning, word got out that Kawhi Leonard was joining the Los Angeles Clippers and bringing Thunder star Paul George with him. My first thought after reading that George was homebound for LA was, “Russ is gone, too”.

It did not take long for Minnesota to check in on Westbrook.

So, here we are again, Wolves fans.

As we stare down the potential to add an All-Star point guard on a max contract, we are a divided fanbase on how we want the front office to proceed.

I am here to tell you: the Wolves need Russell Westbrook and Russell Westbrook needs the Wolves. 

The Minnesota Timberwolves are desperately in need of a big-time secondary scorer that can initiate the offense, create his own shot and help transform the franchise into a playoffs mainstay.

On the other hand, Russell Westbrook in need of a change of scenery that can revitalize his career arc, while also extirpate a tainted legacy born out of the way his hyper-expressive demeanor, and the commandeering style and breakneck pace he plays has made it easy for Kevin Durant and Paul George to flee for the West Coast.

While there were noted issues between KD and Russ, PG and Brodie were brothers. Despite that, George knew his best career path was leaving Westbrook and OKC behind in favor of the Board Man and the bright lights of Staples Center.

This summer has been arguably the craziest offseason in modern NBA history. Why not make it the most exciting Wolves summer in franchise history?

Let’s evaluate the two reasons Westbrook needs the Wolves as well as what a trade for him would look like.