Cavs: 3 reasons trading for Russell Westbrook is a bad idea

Russell Westbrook is a name many are pitching for the Cavs to trade for, but don’t be fooled by his name, he’s not what this team needs.

All over social media, many fans are pitching ways to trade Andre Drummond to the Wizards to acquire point guard Russell Westbrook. There is no rumor that links the Cavs to Westbrook, and that needs to be emphasized. This is specifically about fans wanting Westbrook on the team. Across Twitter, Facebook, and other forms of social media, fans have fantasy-booked a trade to get Westbrook.

The reasoning for this has to do with the Cavs, their weak defense, and a split opinion on Darius Garland. Some fans love Garland, some fans don’t. He’s a very polarizing player and the problem really comes to a head when it comes to the team’s defense. It’s been bad. Part of that reason, at least according to many pundits and analysts, has to do with the belief that Garland and Collin Sexton can’t play on the court together, as both men are hindered defensively.

Now, there’s a misnomer that you have to be “long” to be a good defender in the NBA and that’s fantastically untrue. One of the best defensive players of all time, John Stockton, was just 6’1” during his playing days and one of the better defenders now is Patrick Beverly who is listed as the same height as Stockton. Though, if you thought he was 5’10 or so, no one would really argue with you.

Height really doesn’t matter. It’s how you use the skills you have. Garland and Sexton aren’t “too small” to be good on defense, they’re just not good on defense. It’s not some huge conspiracy.

This is where the problem is, as many feel that Garland and/or Sexton won’t ever be good defensively and that the Cavs need to improve their perimeter player. Hence the trade for Westbrook. The problem is, trading for the embattled Wizard’s player would be a “bad-get”.

Why? Let’s go over the three biggest.