The New York Knicks have already made a handful of positive additions to their second unit this offseason. Now, the team could bring in a former MVP to help run the second unit.
The Knicks have already brought in Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele. Recently, Russell Westbrook has come into the fold as a potential option. On the Open Floor podcast, Rachel Nichols made the case for Westbrook to be brought in by the Knicks.
“That’s a team that needs a guy like him. That actually has a slot for a guy like him. I think he would flourish in New York,” Nichols said. “I think New York fans would love him, and I think he would be able to fill that sort of vet energy role really well.”
Westbrook isn’t the same MVP-level player he once was several years ago, but he could still have a positive impact off the bench for cheap. Last season with the Denver Nuggets, Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game in 75 appearances (36 starts).
Westbrook has fully embraced his role as a sixth man since 2022, and as a result has seen himself earn Sixth Man of the Year votes in each of the last three seasons.
The Knicks will be looking to maximize their championship window after falling to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Already equipped to make another deep run, adding a former MVP to come off the bench wouldn’t hurt the Knicks at all.
