Roundtable: Should the Detroit Pistons go after Russell Westbrook?

The Detroit Pistons have been involved in rumors for former MVP Russell Westbrook. Should the Pistons pull the trigger in Westbrook?

The Detroit Pistons have been linked to being interested in former MVP Russell Westbrook.

Westbrook is one of the most controversial players in the entire league. After averaging a triple-double for the third straight season, it’s been questioned how much his stat-padding results in winning.

Along with shooting terribly from every part of the floor, with splits of 42/29/65. That’s good for a true shooting percentage of 50 percent.

However, there’s no denying Westbrook is one of the elite players in this game. He’s also no doubt an improvement over Reggie Jackson, and could possibly launch the Pistons into contention in the Eastern Conference.

What do the writers at PistonPowered think about going after Westbrook?

Let’s take a look.

Youssef Elminyawi:

Why we shouldn’t go for Westbrook: Westbrook is a high usage superstar who needs to shoot the ball a lot to make things happen.

It is evident that his style can’t go far since he has gotten knocked out in the first round of the playoffs every year since KD left. The last two years being alongside Paul George too.

In addition, Westbrook does not fit the Pistons timeline or mentality. The teams building around Griffin now while having one foot into the future.

What that means is, Ed Stefanski and Co haven’t made impulsive moves that rid Detroit of future potential (young players and picks). Trading for him now would not make sense if it means the Pistons lose picks and future potential.

Besides, he is owed a massive contract that would extend Detroit’s salary cap chokehold.

Ben Lanza:

Verdict- Yes, but depending on what it costs to get him.

Despite a terrible shooting season and diminishing athleticism, no one around the league can deny the impact Westbrook has on a game. Even without shooting, Westbrook attracts gravity from the defense that neither Reggie Jackson or Derrick Rose can bring. With some creative coaching from Dwane Casey, the addition of Westbrook could make life a lot easier for Blake Griffin on offense.

However, they should limit what they are willing to send out in a trade package. If Westbrook and his contract cost more than cap relief and a first-round pick, the Pistons should consider passing.

Steven Bryant:

Trading for Russell Westbrook is an enticing thought. He’s a former MVP, has had three straight seasons with a triple-double, and he brings a whole lot of energy to the team.

Triple-doubles are nice but when you stop and focus on the overall product and not so much the triple-doubles themselves, Westbrook has been on an offensive decline over the last few seasons. His true shooting percentage has dropped from a career-high 55.4 percent in 2017 to 50.1 percent last season the third-lowest of his career (the other two lows were his rookie and sophomore seasons), not to mention his bizarre fall from 10 free throws per game in 2017 to six free throws per game in 2019. Which has resulted in almost a 20 percent drop in his free throw percentage as well.

He has had historically bad three-point shooting numbers in back-to-back seasons, shooting 29 percent in both. And though he’s missed just over a two dozen games during over the last five seasons, it seems like every offseason over the last few years has resulted in a knee scope surgery or some other procedure. Trading future assets away for a guy who is electrifying, but will make $47 million in his final year on his contract could be disastrous.

Obviously, the impact of acquiring Westbrook for this season a net positive, but for a player who relies on athleticism more than anything at this point in his career to make shots, the wear and tear will add up. To trade away current and future assets to take on Westbrook and his contract would be something that I disagree with, personally. Westbrook is an enigma but the Pistons should sit this one out.

Spyros Papadakos:

Russell Westbrook is a great player. He is comparable to Blake Griffin talent-wise but I’ll always question his leadership on the court and in the locker room. His fit with Drummond and Griffin is poor as all three players like to get their points near the basket.

Should the Pistons inquire about a trade? Sure, Westbrook is a type of talent that’s rarely available to a team like the Pistons?

Should they mortgage the future for him? No.

Westbrook doesn’t move the needle enough to reach title contention and trade for him probably decimates any resemblance of depth. Buying low on him could prove to be a great idea, especially if they can flip him (or Drummond) later on. But Westbrook is not a guy you sell the farm for.

You put your underwhelming offer out there and if they bite…

Nicolas Henkel:

The most glaringly obvious flaw in the Detroit Pistons acquiring Russell Westbrook is undoubtedly the salary that they’d be absorbing for the next four season.

The argument that has been conjured up for this has been; “well, the Pistons DID take on Blake Griffin’s contract so what’s the problem?” The problem is that inheriting Blake’s 5Y/$171M contract was brought alongside Andre Drummond’s 5Y/$127M deal.

At the time, the Pistons were immediately crippled and are still feeling the effects of it. Adding Russell’s albatross of a deal at 5Y/$206M only postpones the salary cap purgatory for an additional half-decade.

However, the flip side of this argument is pretty straightforward. Adding Russell does likely put the Pistons in contention for an Eastern Conference Finals run. Though the play of Russell may not fit the foundation of the offense Coach Casey has begun to implement, the logic is simple:

Adapt or die.

The parity of the league is now as solid as it’s been in a decade, and it would be a very clear “win now” move for Detroit.

No matter what is done, Pistons fans have plenty to be optimistic about.

Ku Khahil:

If the price is right… maybe.

When the rumors first started, I was completely for it. I wanted the Pistons to go all out for Westbrook, for a talent like his does not become available every day.

But, I’ve chilled a little bit on the trade.

If the Pistons can get Westbrook at a low offer because of his insane contract and historically bad shooting season last year, then I say do it. Don’t look back, do the trade and compete for the Eastern Conference Finals.

If the Thunder want tons of future assets, young players, and more… Then it’s a hard pass from me.

No doubt in my mind that Westbrook would make the Pistons a contender in the Eastern Conference. But, his contract combined with Drummond’s and Griffin’s, would make it terribly hard to move past the trio if it doesn’t work out.

Westbrook isn’t worth what many casual fans think he’s worth. His shooting, attitude, and an absurd contract could force the Thunder to have to attach assets just to trade him.

In the end, it depends on what the price is. If the price is right…

Welcome to Detroit, Brody.

Brendan Triola:

I am terrified of this move.

I understand the reasoning, ignoring the future to acquire a shiny new toy, with a chance to climb into the next tier of the Eastern Conference. And it’s true that the Pistons do not acquire star free agents through free agency, so trades are the only way to do it.

But, Russell Westbrook in my opinion, is not the right superstar to take the gamble on.

It all comes down to what you think of Westbrook. In my opinion, the risk would not be worth it. I know there is speculation that the Thunder may not get a ton of assets in return, but I strongly believe they will receive a package that kind of surprises people.

If Luke Kennard, Sekou Doumboya, or multiple first-round picks, I would hang up the phone.