NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks Not Ready To Spend Big On Westbrook, Want Discount, Report Says

Russell Westbrook is looking for a new home and his best options are teams in need of a superstar. The New York Knicks fit that bill, but they are not ready to spend much on the former NBA MVP, a report says.

The Knicks are ready to take Westbrook in only if he is offered at a reasonable price, New York Post reported, citing unnamed NBA sources.

But the problem with this is that the Houston Rockets may not have much say when it comes to the 32-year-old player’s demands. The fact is that Westbrook is owed $130 million over the next three years, something that New York and other teams will have to deal with.

The Knicks have ample space to accommodate Westbrook if they want to. The only problem there is that team president Leon Rose is not ready to spend it all on one player.

Though it was not mentioned, a possible scenario would see Houston covering a portion of Westbrook’s salary. But seeing that it was the 6-foot-3 guard’s call to seek a trade, the Rockets are unlikely to even entertain the idea.

Moving forward, anything can still happen. The Knicks could change their mind and finally reel in the superstar they need to lead the team back into sane ground. There are players that they may need to give up, also subject to the approval of the Rockets.

Last season, Westbrook continued to put up good numbers despite sharing duties with James Harden. He averaged 27. 2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists for Houston. Without question, Westbook is a player new head coach Tom Thibodeau would want on the team.

It was Shams Charania of The Athletic who first reported that Westbrook requested to be traded. It seems the 32-year-old is not aligned with the plans of Houston looking ahead. There may also be an issue once more between him and James Harden.

Both allegedly had their tense moments on the team and their much-hyped close ties are untrue, reports say. Harden has had his share of squabbles with former Rockets players like Dwight Howard and Chris Paul. Both are now part of different teams but have blossomed with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, respectively.

Ironically, Paul is another name being associated with the Knicks. But like Westbrook, he also has a lofty deal ($85 million) attached to his name.