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

By Chad Porto

Dec 11, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (18) in the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (18) in the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 27: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards shoots in front of Jarred Vanderbilt #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Capital One Arena on February 27, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 27: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards shoots in front of Jarred Vanderbilt #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Capital One Arena on February 27, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Doesn’t Fit Need

What do the Cavs need? They need perimeter defense, they need three-point-shooting and they need great passing with little-to-no-turnovers. None of that is Westbrook.

Firstly, he’s the worst defensive player on the Wizards. Raul Neto is getting more time at point guard than ever before because he’s actually able to play defense on this team. Without Neto, the Wizards would be absolutely abhorrent at the point of play. Adding Westbrook would actually hurt the Cavs defensively. According to FiveThirtyEight, Darius Garland is actually playing better defensively than Westbrook. Not by much, a hair really, but it’s something. Plus Garland is $40 million cheaper and 12-odd years younger. No dice.

The Cavs also need help with not turning the ball over, something the Cavs have gotten better at in recent games. Westbrook would only exacerbate that issue. Among active players, Garland leads the team in turnovers with 2.9 per game. Westbrook leads the NBA with 5.0 per game. Westbrook is so bad, that he has a .5 difference over number two on the list, Trae Young. The difference in .5 in a stat is huge.

Lastly, Westbrook would actually make shooting three’s harder for the Cavs. Westbrook is just shooting 29% from three, while Garland (the player many think would go over in said trade deal) is shooting 37% this year.

Now, if we look at the assist-to-turnover ratio, Westbrook (1.8) does have slightly fewer than Garland (2.03), but that can be boiled down to usage rate difference. Garland’s the better shooter, the better defender, and the better deal. Sure, Westbrook will average a near-triple-double but who cares? He’s doing that on the Wizards and they’re not winning.

The Cavs have enough rebounding without Westbrook, and everything else is just bloated stats by the guy. Maybe six years ago you make the trade but today? No.

Next. Cavs: 3 best trade ideas for Andre Drummond so far. dark

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