The Atlanta Hawks could make the ultimate splash in free agency this summer. For years, they have needed a reliable backup point guard to take some of the team’s playmaking burden off of Trae Young. And if Russell Westbrook declines his player option, he could be available very soon.
The former MVP and nine-time All-Star had a resurgent season with the Denver Nuggets. At age 36, Westbrook shot a career-high 51.7% from inside the arc and recorded his highest 3-point percentage in eight years. Denver won 50 games as Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 1.4 steals.
Over the last three seasons, the Hawks have gone from Aaron Holiday to Patty Mills to Kobe Bufkin as second-unit floor generals. None of these options held a candle to the kind of impact Westbrook could provide for Atlanta as an Ice Trae backup.
After Denver’s recent Game 7 loss to Oklahoma City, Westbrook gave a cryptic response to a reporter’s question about his future with the Nuggets:
Needless to say, Westbrook seems undecided on staying in Denver. While he could feasibly opt into his player option before the June 29 deadline, he may also look for a change in scenery. Given Atlanta’s ongoing bouts of bad injury luck, the future Hall-of-Famer would probably have an opportunity to seize more than just a full-time bench role with the Hawks.
Russell Westbrook would give the Hawks a much-needed playmaking boost off the bench
Fueled by players like Caris LeVert and Georges Niang, the Hawks’ second unit had a successful season scoring the basketball. However, Atlanta’s bench ranked No. 22 leaguewide in assists with just 7.5 per game – a stark contrast from the 22.0 dimes per game the starters recorded (second-most in the NBA).
Since Young was drafted in 2018, he has ranked top-10 in the NBA in total minutes and minutes per game. He also ranks No. 14 in total games played since he was drafted. His gigantic workload hasn't led to major injury issues, but Young could benefit from some extra regular-season rest as he enters his prime.
While LeVert did a solid job running Atlanta’s second unit after the trade deadline, he only averaged 2.9 assists with the Hawks and just 3.9 assists per 36 minutes. Westbrook, on the other hand, averaged 7.9 assists per 36 minutes while playing alongside Nikola Jokic and his 10.2 assists per contest.
The Hawks’ offense scored 7.5 more points per 100 possessions with Young on the floor, suffering a massive dip in production when the reigning assist champ was on the bench. The presence of a legendary playmaker like Westbrook could offer a pivotal solution for Atlanta’s historically stagnant ball movement in the non-Young minutes. Along with leading the NBA in all-time triple-doubles, Westbrook ranks No. 8 in all-time assists and top-20 in all-time steals and points.
If the Hawks acquire Westbrook, they will surely improve their chances of returning to the postseason – and potentially earning a top-five seed.