Comparing what to expect from Westbrook and Rubio
Let’s also consider who the Suns just acquired: Ricky Rubio.
It is conceivable that in Monty Williams‘ system and with more minutes that he played in his two seasons in Utah, Rubio will average between 13-15 points per game (especially if he reaches the league-average on 3-point percentage, which he has only done once in his career in 2017-18 when he averaged a career-high 13.1 points per game).
If he is able to bring his scoring average to the higher end of that estimation, it would literally be only be about 2 points fewer than what Westbrook could potentially average over the same time span.
It is also very likely that Rubio’s assist average spikes right back up to his pre-Jazz levels (he averaged 9.1 assists per game with the Timberwolves in 2016-17) a rate not seen since Steve Nash.
Here is the kicker – and easily the most important stat: While Westbrook has averaged 10.3 or more assists in each of the last four seasons (the last two leading the league at 10.3 and 10.7, respectively), he will probably keep that rate up for a year or two.
Thus, if Rubio is able to average 8-9 assists, and Westbrook would average 8-9 assists, what’s the difference in the game if the averages are the same?
Where Westbrook will get Rubio every day is in rebounding as Russell has averaged double-figures in each of the last three seasons.
That average I would expect to drop some with the Suns as well, as I do not believe that Westbrook would be asked to play the same style of offense in Phoenix as he was in OKC, and therefore would not be asked to play all 93 feet (that is, coast-to-coast basketball with the ball in his hands) as that style of play would knock out both Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker’s combined ability to play in a similar manner.