The last charge! Where else can Westbrook go?

As the former MVP, the triple-double king and the most violent point guard player on the field, Russell Westbrook is still unwilling to do in the free market. For the Hall of Fame defender, his career has reached a crossroads that are both realistic and cruel.

The man who was able to change the game by relying on strength now has to face whether there are still teams who are willing to give him a chance.

But is this really his final moment? In other words, can this former MVP still have the ability to play the remaining energy in some systems and even help the team enter the playoffs get the last chance to charge?

From the Thunder to the Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, Clippers, and Nuggets, Westbrook hopes to prove his influence every time he transfers. However, things went against his wishes. During his time with the Lakers and James, he became the media's finger due to his unfit offensive rhythm and on-field space issues. After coming to the Clippers, although he once showed the potential of the sixth man, when Harden joined, his role was gradually marginalized and eventually abandoned.

played for the Nuggets last season. In 75 regular season games, Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game, with a shooting percentage of 44.9%, and a three-point shooting percentage of 32.3%. Although he can still contribute on the court, his value is still limited in the second round when more output value is needed in the playoffs. After being eliminated in the season, Westbrook immediately underwent a right hand fracture surgery.

Considering these limitations, does Westbrook still have a future market for his obvious characteristics? Will he have another chance?

First of all, it is clear that although he is 36 years old, Westbrook is not worthless.

Even though his physical fitness and athletic ability are no longer at the peak, he is still at the best level in terms of future defense. He can still kill the penalty area with explosive power with the first step; in addition, Westbrook has also shown a change in his Nuggets substitute lineup, and the intensity on the defensive end can still help the team, and the offense is also improving the number of three-point shots and shooting stability.

Another thing, Westbrook has rich playoff experience and a career record of 135 playoff games. Whether in terms of locker room leadership or specific counterattacks, Westbrook has his special value. More importantly, his current market value has declined significantly. Even if he is willing to join the veteran's basic salary or even non-guaranteed contract, it is a bet with some risks for the middle and late teams.

is obvious. Although it has certain value, its weaknesses are more obvious:

The outside line is unstable and it is very easy to become a shortcoming target;

The problem of ball control errors also exist, and offensive choices at certain moments will destroy the offensive rhythm;

Although the defense is positive, bold misplaced frequently occurs, and it is difficult to serve as the main force single defender;

If there is a lack of a clear positioning, Westbrook will also be difficult to become the candidate to control the outcome.

Considering these factors, if Westbrook has a next stop, he must find a special team with a stable combat system, willing to provide him with a clear role, and preferably a familiar system or coaching teammates.

Therefore, in his potential future discussion, it is not difficult to guess that the next player to take over Westbrook:

The first choice is the Miami Heat.

The Heat have always been good at discovering the value of veterans, from Love to Lowry, and even Josh Richardson and others are cases. Westbrook's defensive strength and fighting spirit are likely to meet the Heat cultural standards that Pat Riley has always required.

Referring to the current Heat's backcourt lineup, Herro is in an injury state and there is no clear answer on the substitute point guard. If Westbrook is willing to start from the bench, he will be more like a character who can make waves from the explosion of killing and defensive ends than the core of the ball. Under Spoil's system, he will have a chance to regain his chance. But the premise is that he must accept the reduction in personal usage rate and focus on defense and offensive conversions, so that he can fit the Heat system.

The second choice came from the Minnesota Timberwolves.

After Mike Conley gradually aging, the team's substitute ball control responsibility has been handed over to Divinchenzo, or Edwards is responsible for guest appearances. But Edwards is already overloaded on the offensive end, and if he had an experienced substitute to support the ball, it would be a huge plus.

If Westbrook chooses to join the Timberwolves with a minimum salary for the veteran, he can fill in some conversion offensive and organizational vacancy, and maintain the team's pace when Edwards leaves the court. In addition, the Timberwolves have a strong penalty area defense system, and Gobert and McDaniels are the basis of defense and can cover most of Westbrook's problems on the defensive end.

More importantly, the Timberwolves are currently in the championship window period, and Westbrook may still become a key role in changing the situation after playing 10 minutes in the playoffs.

The third choice, from Philadelphia 76ers.

Considering the team lineup, the 76ers currently lack a stable substitute option for ball-handling, and Westbrook is a veteran puzzle worth a try. In addition to Embiid's high-level support value, Maxi is about to accept the role of the team's number one. In such a structural system, Westbrook only needs to be a stable role on the bench and a good energy package on the defensive end, and there is no need to participate in the show.

The fourth choice belongs to the Detroit Pistons.

The young Pistons have already had some competitiveness in the East. Currently, there is almost no third stable substitute ball possession point on the point guard except Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. If Westbrook is willing to accept a mentor role similar to Paul in the Warriors, then he still has the opportunity to play a stable appearance value, such as the value of Rose in the Grizzlies, injecting professional game habits into young cores..

For such a transformation, it may be difficult to pursue personal data, or even win the championship trophy, but it can give Westbrook a beautiful enough career ending, from being the core to the substitute support, finally the team's locker room leader, and finally quietly exit.

It is just before these next players discuss, we still need to face a cruel reality. With Westbrook's style of playing with obvious advantages and disadvantages, can the current league still accept him?

What are the most critical advantages for the modern NBA?

High efficiency offense: three-point shooting percentage and free throws, stable shooting choices.

Offensive Space: The point guard is not just a group attacker, but a stable shooter who can open up space.

Convert defense and off-ball offense: Not only is it about holding the ball, but also requires making the right choice when off-ball.

From the perspective of these three, they are exactly Westbrook's weaknesses. His career three-point shooting percentage is only above 30%, which makes it difficult to provide space advantages; he often has poor positioning on the ball end, which is very easy to be short; his defensive horizontal shift advantage has also declined significantly, making it difficult to suppress the opponent like he was at his peak.

In short, if Westbrook wants to continue his career in his late career, he must be reborn and become a rhythm controller and bench leader, rather than a data madman like before. Although such a transformation goal is somewhat difficult, it is not completely impossible.

Looking back at this career that has both highlights and troughs, he has worked as a core rotation for many teams, from the Thunder, Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, Clippers to the Nuggets, he is no longer the violent point guard who can change the situation by himself, but must learn to play special value in limited roles.

is like a movie with ups and downs. Westbrook's first half is a lone hero with full firepower, and the middle part begins to become a wanderer who wanders around. Now, he is more like an old warrior looking for a farewell stage.

This is also Westbrook's biggest problem at present: Can the 36-year-old Westbrook still fight? Is it still valuable?

The answer is obvious. As long as he is willing to accept the role changes, he can still contribute. The key to the question is whether he can minimize the role of the protagonist, treat himself as a functional player, and use his experience and physical fitness to gain limited time.

Although this is not the most familiar model in his career, it is the only way to extend his career at this stage.