Hardwood Houdini
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Boston Celtics: HH talks Russell Westbrook for Al Horford/Josh Richardson deal

By Andrew Hughes

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 07: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket on Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first half at Staples Center on December 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 07: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket on Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first half at Staples Center on December 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Hoopshype’s Yossi Gozlan’s recent trade piece must have had some Boston Celtics fans rushing to their NBA 2K22 create-a-roster to add Russell Westbrook to the ‘Jays’, Marcus Smart, and Robert Williams in the Cs starting lineup.

No? Just me?

Well, either way, the idea of adding Westbrook to a core that has gone to the Eastern Conference finals two of the last four years is an exciting one, but ultimately not realistic.

Why? Well, look at what Gozlan’s return package to the Los Angeles Lakers would include:

"…the Boston Celtics are a team that could use a more traditional point guard, and Westbrook theoretically could be a decent fit there since their best lineup would have three good shooters surrounding him. A package of Al Horford ($27 million), Josh Richardson ($11.6 million), and Juancho Hernangomez ($7 million) combine for nearly identical salaries for Westbrook, which is important for both teams due to their current luxury tax situations."

Gozlan doesn’t die on this hill, acknowledging the Celtics would more likely pursue a younger star in the future as opposed to $91 million of Westbrook’s remaining salary over the next two seasons.

And, in truth, the package isn’t one that would likely spur LeBron James and the Lakers front office to break up their newly formed ‘Big 3′ just yet. They should, considering Al Horford and Josh Richardson would provide more than guys like Avery Bradley and Talen Horton-Tucker have in the starting lineup, but Rob Pelinka understands that the market may inexplicably offer something more attractive to the Lakers than this scenario. As it always does.

All of this being said, Westbrook could actually be the type of guy that could jumpstart the Boston Celtics’ lethargic offense. His ability to get to the rim in year 14 is still elite among his peers, and his 8.4 assists per game is a mark not met since the days of Rajon Rondo. Also, don’t forget that Westbrook fell just short of 12 dimes per game a season ago.

He won’t come to the Cs in this deal, but if the Lakers are truly done with him already, he might be worth exploring as part of something bigger.

dark. Next. Anthony Davis? For Jaylen Brown? N.A.N went there

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