Former Finals MVPs Discuss Best Landing Spots For Russell Westbrook

Two former NBA Finals MVPs recently discussed the best landing spot for Oklahoma City Thunder’s lone star, Russell Westbrook.

After the Los Angeles Clippers formed arguably the biggest Western Conference duo with the addition of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the now-lone star of Oklahoma City Thunder, Westbrook, is reportedly yearning to be traded as well.

It did not take too long for sports insiders to discuss the best landing spots for the former MVP. In a recent episode of ESPN’s "The Jump," two former Finals MVPs, Paul Pierce and Chauncey Billups, shared their thoughts on the current buzz about Westbrook being ready to part ways with his longtime team, OKC Thunder.

Just shortly after the Leonard and George move to Clippers news broke, the Miami Heat immediately became suitors of Westbrook. The Heat is reportedly interested in pairing Westbrook with their recently acquired All-Star, Jimmy Butler. The Westbrook-Butler idea sounded good to 2004 NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups, who stated that Westbrook joining Miami makes a lot of sense as the latter would need another star to play with.

Billups then continued by emphasizing that if Westbrook would not sign with Miami, it is better for him to “play it out” a year and see how things will go from there.

But 2008 NBA Finals MVP Paul Pierce disagrees with the idea of Miami Heat signing the 30-year-old superstar, saying that the best landing spot for Westbrook is the New York Knicks, the team who has had the “worst luck” this summer. Pierce capitalized on the fact that the Knicks being unable to get Zion Williamson, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving makes them perfect landing spot for a superstar like Westbrook.

The Celtics legend even stated that New York having “some star power” is good for the NBA. “Just to have some star power in New York is good for the league,” Pierce said.

When Pierce was asked why he thinks Westbrook should not stay with the Thunder, the 41-year-old analyst was very quick to respond that he does not want to see Westbrook in OKC anymore because the superstar has done it all already for the franchise and it’s time for him to “move on” to New York Knicks.

“I don’t wanna see Russell in OKC no more,” Pierce said.

“Move on to the Knicks! They need him more than anybody,” Pierce emphasized.

Despite having different points of view, both Pierce and Billups agreed that the Knicks really needed a star in their team right now after missing out on almost every prospect linked to them this offseason.