Even as recently as November of 2020, publications like the Orlando Magic Daily previewed the possibility of a trade bringing Russell Westbrook to Orlando. Just before opting to go into rebuild mode, the Magic attempted to make as deep as a run as possible while keeping the core group together. Without success, Orlando had to unload their best players (Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic). Though they were nowhere near making the playoffs, Orlando didn’t get the spot they wanted in the draft lottery.
That leaves an uncertain path with lots of questions to be answered. Is it time for Russell Westbrook to put the “magic” back in Orlando?
The “What If?” Is Irresistible
Undoubtedly, Russell Westbrook wouldn’t be joining a team ready to make a playoff push in the very near future. Westbrook told Stephen A. Smith that he would not feel cheated retiring without a championship. He considers himself a champion simply by making it to the NBA.
Also, Westbrook can attract more All-Star-worthy talent once he commits. There are some big-name unrestricted free agents that might be persuaded to join a young team with a proven winner like Russell Westbrook at the helm.
Additionally, the rookie class will have lots of intriguing prospects and the Magic could deal some of those players in a trade package to bring Portland’s C.J. McCollum or Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons to Orlando. McCollum would bring even more name recognition on board with his reputation as an elite secondary scorer. He can join Westbrook on the offensive attack.
Ben Simmons is another All-Star that is potentially on the trading block. These possibilities would certainly upgrade a roster with no All-Stars. A roster upgrade would benefit every individual player in a Magic uniform. Gary Harris is a good guard to have as a starter but an upgrade elevates him to a great asset to come off the bench.
A bond already exists between Westbrook and Cole Anthony. After meeting him in high school, Anthony has kept in touch and has recently expressed the desire to work out with Westbrook over the summer.
“That dude is an animal,” Anthony said of Westbrook. “Anybody who tries to disrespect him needs to watch basketball, watch him play. That dude is an animal. He competes on both ends of the floor and is just really, really good.”
Good for Westbrook?
Westbrook comes off the books after the 2022-2023 season. His eye-catching flamboyant personal style off the court fits well in a fun and flashy city like Orlando. NBA careers end pretty fast and it’s unlikely he wants to spend the latter years of his career feeling frustrated. It certainly is frustrating for someone with great driving ability to kick out and see brick after brick fly off the rim. He didn’t have many knockdown shooters around him in Houston and the result was that he asked for a trade. If Westbrook goes to Orlando, he will have two dependable shooters in Gary Harris and Terrence Ross.
There’s room on the books in Orlando to add more key pieces including more shooters. As the established superstar on such a young team, Westbrook could have a say in some of the decisions made. That’s good experience for him if he wants to be an executive or general manager after he retires.
The Magic have two budding young guards in R.J. Hampton and Cole Anthony. Though they’re inexperienced, they have enough potential to take lots of pressure off Westbrook. He doesn’t have to expend energy taking on all the ball-handling responsibility for the duration of the game later in his career. He can still enjoy playing the game he loves and be a mentor to the young point guards on the team.
Good for the Magic?
Acquiring Russell Westbrook could save Orlando from missing the playoffs next season. Westbrook’s value has diminished but he is still a superstar. He can still be the difference between making and missing the playoffs. There won’t be many other superstars that the Magic can potentially bring in via the trade market. He will help space the floor because the opposition has to worry about him penetrating. He should take the pressure off of some of the young players as they are adjusting to the demands of the NBA. This could really help in their development.
Though not a lifelong point guard (a point guard only in the pros), Westbrook has become more of a willing passer of late. He does so many things on the floor; his impressive number of triple-doubles reflects that. He plays hard on both ends of the floor and his enthusiasm is infectious.
Is Orlando the Place “Magic” Happens?
Though Westbrook to Orlando makes sense now (sometime after the sports world first got wind of it), there may be more appeal to go to Los Angeles where the cast around him is already proven and experienced. We will wait and see if the Magic go in the direction of pursuing him. The Magic might also choose to trade up in the draft but that would mean parting ways with a few pieces on their current roster.
Any way you look at it, Russell Westbrook is a rare commodity in today’s NBA; a highly gifted floor general with the skills to create his own shot and play with maximum effort every single game. He has the two qualities veteran coach Jeff Van Gundy finds to be the difference between losing teams and contenders. Westbrook fits the description of someone who plays with “edge and age.” Westbrook still plays with a killer instinct and he has an impressive amount of playoff games and pivotally important games in his rearview mirror.