Five free agents the Miami Heat should target in 2018
By Rob Slater
2. Russell Westbrook
The reigning MVP has yet to give Oklahoma City a confirmation that he’ll be signing the five-year extension currently offered to him. And everyday that continues to be the case, the chances grow of Westbrook leaving the only team he’s known.
If Westbrook leaves the Thunder, he won’t be doing so for a bigger payday. He’ll be leaving with the goal of capturing his first NBA championship. There are very few organizations in this league that can dedicate themselves to that cause, and the Heat are on that list.
Westbrook would undoubtedly have interest in Miami and there might be no better player (outside of LeBron) that would be tailor-made to the Heat’s system than Mr. Triple Double.
If the Heat add Irving, the idea of Westbrook goes away. But, if not, could the Heat sell Westbrook on possibly teaming up with LeBron? While a considerable long shot, that would be Pat Riley’s greatest accomplishment to date.
And even without LeBron, an escape East may help him accomplish that elusive championship. With Isaiah Thomas, John Wall and newly-minted Kyle Lowry heading up the other top teams in the East, Miami could become a potential landing spot.
Everything we read about Westbrook mentions his loyalty, and he doesn’t strike me as someone to ditch Oklahoma City to chase a ring. He’s a hero there. But that doesn’t mean the Heat shouldn’t try.