Heat Are Favorites To Sign Russell Westbrook Over Mavs, Kings

The Miami Warmth are the favorites to signal veteran guard Russell Westbrook, who declined his $3.46 million participant choice for subsequent season with the Denver Nuggets to turn into an unrestricted free agent.

Miami Warmth Can Afford Russell Westbrook

In accordance with Bovada, the Warmth have one of the best odds (+260) so as to add Westbrook this offseason, adopted by the Dallas Mavericks (+325), Sacramento Kings (+500), Golden State Warriors (+750), and different groups.

The sportsbook additionally lists Israeli skilled basketball membership Hapoel Tel Aviv as a possible choice. The final supervisor of the Israeli membership, Giorgos Hinas, has been in touch with Westbrook’s agent, however an settlement is unlikely to be reached.

Together with the partially assured contracts of Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, and the first-round decide within the 2025 NBA draft, Miami is $11 million under the primary apron and $23 million under the second, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

The Warmth can use as much as $5.6 million of the non-tax midlevel exception and never set off the primary apron laborious cap. In addition they have the veteran minimal and three commerce exceptions ($7.3 million, $3.1 million, and $2.1 million).

Beginning Oct. 1, Tyler Herro is eligible to tack on a three-year, $149.7 million extension to the 2 years ($31 million and $33 million) he already has left on his contract.

If no settlement is reached earlier than Oct. 20, Herro would then be eligible to signal a four-year, $206.9 million extension subsequent offseason. He’s supermax eligible (5 years, $380 million) if he’s named All-NBA in 2025-26.

Westbrook Underwent Hand Surgical procedure Final Month

Westbrook, who turns 37 this November, signed with Denver final July. In 75 video games (36 begins) this season, he averaged a career-low 13.3 factors, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 27.9 minutes per contest.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound guard additionally shot 44.9% from the sector, 32.3% from 3-point vary, and 66.1% on the free throw line. His participant effectivity ranking (14.3) was a profession low as effectively.

Westbrook underwent surgical procedure on his proper hand final month to restore a number of ligament tears, the group introduced. The 2-time NBA scoring champ additionally had just a few fingers closely taped through the Nuggets playoff run.

Nonetheless, Westbrook acknowledged in his private e-newsletter that he was having surgical procedure to repair “two breaks that occurred through the season.” He’s anticipated to renew full offseason coaching this summer season following the process.

“This morning, I’m present process surgical procedure on my proper hand to repair two breaks that occurred through the season,” Westbrook wrote. “I’m grateful for everybody’s assist all yr and I can’t wait to be again on the market at 100% quickly. The comeback is already in movement.”

In 1,237 NBA profession regular-season video games (1,075 begins), Westbrook has averaged 21.2 factors, 7.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.6 steals with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Nuggets.

Per Basketball Reference, Westbrook can also be the NBA’s all-time profession chief in triple-doubles (203) and ranks eighth in league historical past in assists (9,925) and twenty third in factors (26,205).

Nonetheless, the 17-year veteran continues to be looking for his first NBA championship.