Report: Knicks on ‘short list’ of viable trade destinations for Russell Westbrook

A new report indicates that the New York Knicks are among the teams who may end up acquiring Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook, though they’d be taking on a huge financial obligation.

Talk of Westbrook being traded by the Rockets has increased in the wake of the team’s disappointing finish in the 2019-20 playoffs. The Rockets reached the Western Conference semifinals, but were eliminated in five games by the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers.

In the wake of that defeat, Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni and general manager Daryl Morey ended their tenures with the team, while fellow guard James Harden is rumored to be on the trade block.

The Knicks are seeking to make an impact after years of struggling, with new head coach Tom Thibodeau apparently looking to make a major upgrade by acquiring Westbrook. The only apparent stumbling block is whether Knicks owner James Dolan is willing to take on Westbrook’s contract.