FOX Sports recently listed the Boston Celtics as a potential destination for current free agent and former MVP Russell Westbrook, but that doesn’t make any sense. Not only do the Celtics have very little playing time to hand Westbrook, but he wouldn’t be a good fit for Boston’s play style, either. However, FOX Sports sees it differently:
“For perspective, the departures/absences of Tatum, Porzingis, Holiday and Horford means that 66.4 points per game from last season is gone,” they wrote. “Granted, Simons, who averaged 19.3 points per game last season, will fill in some of that production for Boston. Relying on being a dominant defensive team – Boston was second in the NBA in opponent points per game and opponent field goal percentage last season – that can stretch the floor – Boston led the NBA with 48.2 3-point attempts per game last season – won't work for the Celtics in 2025-2026. They need variety and, more than anything, capable and willing scorers. Westbrook fits the bill.”
Westbrook just wouldn’t make sense on the Celtics.
Why shouldn’t Celtics sign Russell Westbrook?
Westbrook is a solid player who still deserves a spot in the NBA. His ball-handling, cutting, scoring, and playmaking are all very valuable assets, not to mention his veteran leadership.
But even though the Celtics look much different than last year, and they could use an infusion of talent, Westbrook isn’t the answer to their problems.
Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, and Anfernee Simons should get the bulk of the guard minutes in Boston, with guys like Baylor Scheierman and Hugo Gonzalez behind them.
Plus, with wings like Jaylen Brown, Jordan Walsh, Josh Minott, and Sam Hauser on the roster, capable of playing the two, three, or four, Boston has plenty of players it should want to evaluate.
Boston likely won’t be making a run at a championship this season, so honing in on its youth movement would be a smart idea. Adding someone like Westbrook would take away from the development of the Celtics’ youngsters.
Plus, with how many threes Joe Mazzulla likes to shoot, adding a guard who constantly gets ignored at the three-point line may not be the best idea.
There are plenty of teams that could use Westbrook. He was a perfect fit on the Denver Nuggets last year. The Celtics are just not one of those teams. They shouldn’t be looking to add Westbrook to their rotation heading into next season.