Since the end of last season, the Charlotte Hornets have been a rumored trade destination for former MVP Russell Westbrook.
Here is why the Hornets should steer clear from any Westbrook trade offers.
The Charlotte Hornets shouldn’t trade for Russell Westbrook because he is a poor shooter.
Westbrook is shooting 12.5 % from downtown this season in four attempts per game, by far the worst percentage of his career. This lack of efficiency would be a glaring problem within the Hornets’ offensive system, which relies heavily on spacing and shot making from the perimeter.
Not only is he struggling from beyond the arc, but he is also having trouble putting the ball in the basket from inside the three-point line. Westbrook is shooting just 30.9% from the field so far this season, which is a career low.
The Charlotte Hornets shouldn’t trade for Russell Westbrook because he is overpaid.
Although this is the last year of his contract, Westbrook will make approximately $47 million this season before becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer. Not only would it be wise for Charlotte to be hesitant to trade for a player with that high of a salary, but it should also be even more apparent that they should not do so considering how badly Westbrook has played so far this season.
In addition to his low numbers, he doesn’t exactly pass the eye test this season so far. He is missing layups that he used to make, he’s taking senseless shots in crunch time that opposing defenders know to leave him open on, and he is turning the ball over often.
On the bright side, his defense so far this season has been acceptable, but surely not to the point that taking on his huge contract in a trade should be considered an ideal option.
The Charlotte Hornets shouldn’t trade for Russell Westbrook because they don’t need another point guard.
Although LaMelo Ball is currently sidelined with an injury, Dennis Smith Jr. has played exceptionally well throughout the first week of the season. The sixth-year man is averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game after being bounced around in trades for most of his young career. It may be optimistic to believe he will maintain this level of production, but he seems to have found his new home in Charlotte as the backup point guard.
With Ball and Smith Jr. playing most of the point guard minutes and with young players such as Théo Maledon and Bryce McGowens vying for more minutes, a move to acquire a ball-dominant point guard does not seem like a move that would benefit the Hornets in any way.