The Phoenix Suns did what they had to this offseason to try and secure themselves a future of sorts, and it involved cutting ties with both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Although there are also assets out there that once belonged to The Valley that have seen their worth skyrocket, at least the roster is now filled with some young players plus veterans who have retained trade value.
All of this is centered around franchise cornerstone Devin Booker, but you can at least see the method to the front office's moves if you don't look too hard. Yes Beal's contract will be on their books for five more years yet, but the Suns now also boast three incoming rookies plus returning second year players in Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro. Two-way guard Collin Gillespie is also now in the mix.
Suns would be repeating Beal mistake with Russell Westbrook.
Sam Vecenie and Bryce Simon were back with another episode of their Game Theory Podcast - and with Russell Westbrook having not yet found another team - and with roster spots almost full throughout - the idea of Russ in Phoenix was floated. When you consider the point guard depth in The Valley, it kind of makes sense too.
The Suns aren't in control of their lottery pick next summer anyway, and so have no incentive to lose. Westbrook would raise the floor of this group, and that is because they also don't have a starter level floor general either. Gillespie is the backup and one of Jordan Goodwin or Jared Butler is going to make the final roster.
But as things currently stand one of Booker or Jalen Green is going to have to have the ball in their hands a ton, and that is not the best use for their skills. We've lived the point Booker experience in the past - and although he did the best he could and actually excelled in some ways too as his playmaking improved - Booker remains one of the best pure scorers in the league.
That ability is hindered when he's looking to set his teammates up so often, which is yet another reason Westbrook could make sense. But we've been here before with Beal - and although the numbers involved are massively different as Westbrook would be on the minimum - the end goal would be the same.
Owner Mat Ishbia getting sucked in by a big name on the decline, who would eventually go on to blow up any progress that their young group is making. The Suns once fell in love with the idea of trading Chris Paul for Beal, and that backfired massively. Now if you believe the rumors this summer, Phoenix didn't want Paul back so as to give first year head coach Jordan Ott a younger group to work with.
Why would having Westbrook be any different? Like Paul he's going to the Hall of Fame and can certainly be outspoken. He's often right as well, but at this stage of his career knowing this is likely the last dance for him, sharing the ball may not be the first thing on his mind.
The Suns have shown signs of learning from past mistakes this offseason judging by recent comments from Ishbia. This would be a massive regression, and it would hurt what Phoenix is going to attempt and build across the next couple of years. Assuming he doesn't land with the Suns though - and again he really shouldn't - that is likely the end of the road for Russell Westbrook in the NBA.