We're now under two months remaining until the NBA season, and the excitement is starting to build for fans as schedules are now out. As the Minnesota Timberwolves consider what last-minute additions they'd like to make to their roster, I believe they'd be wise to consider picking up Russell Westbrook.
Now, be patient before calling me names for suggesting this. I'm not saying that Westbrook represents some sort of grand solution that will change everything for this Timberwolves team. But while the interest in him league-wide is clearly low, it could be worth it to take a swing on the former MVP in what would be a pretty low-risk move.
The last few years of Westbrook's career have been an interesting one. After his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, there was a certain narrative spun to make it seem as though Westbrook was totally washed, and couldn't play in the NBA anymore. I think what he's done since then has certainly been enough to refute those claims.
But at the same time, Russ is still in an interesting place where he clearly does need a specific scenario to thrive. He got that situation with the Nuggets, as he looked excellent for much of the year playing off Nikola Jokic.
Westbrook represents a risk the Timberwolves should take
So although he was good in Denver, it also probably says something that the Nuggets didn't want to re-sign Westbrook. That's going to make a lot of fans nervous, but I think there's a few factors here that could make it a worthwhile swing for Minnesota to take.
The first of which being the obvious roster need. The Wolves have a lack of ball-handlers outside of the aging Mike Conley and a young largely unproven Rob Dillingham. It's already been rumored for a while that they may want to bring in another guy who can bring the ball up the floor, and Russ is certainly in that category. Not to mention, Westbrook would bring a level of athleticism, even at this stage of his career, that Conley won't.
Then there's the low-risk, high reward part to this as well. If the Timberwolves decided they wanted to ink Russ to a one-year, minimum deal there's only so much bad that can realistically come from that. Sure, maybe he doesn't end up working out or providing much value, and that would mean you burned a roster spot. But he's not a long-term salary burner.
Overall, I just think this is a risk you should take if you're Minnesota. It's about to be September, and if you can't get Malcolm Brogdon, you might as well take a chance on Russell Westbrook.