NBA Rumors: Russell Westbrook to sign with Heat, if bought out from LA?

NBA Rumors: In the unlikely event that Russell Westbrook would get bought out from the Los Angeles Lakers, the belief is he would sign with the Miami Heat.

Even for the most optimistic of fans, it’s hard to look at the Los Angeles Lakers‘ start to the season and be upbeat about the team heading into December. Father time is bearing down on LeBron James and he’s struggled with injuries thus far and the team’s supporting cast has disappointed.

Anthony Davis has been playing out of his mind as of late and even Russell Westbrook appears to be relishing in his new role off the bench. Still, the team is out of the top 10 in the Western Conference standings and it’s hard to envision that changing anytime soon.

That could open the door for some major moves for the team as we inch closer and closer to the NBA Trade Deadline. Even though there are recent rumblings that the Lakers could elect not to trade Westbrook (who is the one player on the roster that everyone believes will be moved by the trade deadline) that doesn’t mean they can’t, for example, buy out the remainder of Westbrook’s contract. Even though that remains an unlikely scenario, if it were to happen there is one team that reportedly could be in the driver’s seat to sign Westbrook.

According to a recent report, if Westbrook were to get bought out by the Lakers, the Miami Heat would emerge as a possible landing spot. In fact, that’s what many around the league believe would happen.

It may not be likely, but how would Russell Westbrook fit on the Miami Heat?

If this scenario were to take place, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a team such as Miami find interest in Westbrook. In fact, before he was traded to the Houston Rockets in 2019, the Heat were one of the teams that reportedly expressed interest.

And you know that A) Pat Riley loves his veterans and big-name players and B) the Heat is in a position where they’d be open to anything in an attempt to salvage their season.

All that said, I would not love the fit for the Heat overall. Not if he’s starting. In fact, I’m not exactly sure how that works with Kyle Lowry still on the roster unless this is after the Heat decides to trade him at the trade deadline.

Even then, a starting lineup that includes Westbrook, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo – three non-shooters – would be difficult to manage. The spacing would be horrible.

If Westbrook is coming off the bench, I somewhat would understand the move more. But I would have to imagine that if he does reach a buyout, Westbrook would search for a landing spot in which he would assume a starting role.

It doesn’t hurt to talk about it. Still, if the Lakers choose to not trade Westbrook, I have a hard time believing that they’re going to buy him out. It doesn’t make much sense honestly.