After the Knicks’ historic season was cut short in the East Finals, they realized they might be just one piece away from winning the coveted Larry O’Brien trophy. Now, they are in search for that missing piece. A report by Ian Begley stated that there will be “mutual interest” between the New York franchise and Russell Westbrook once free agency opens. But Knicks’ roster situation and the former MVP’s questionable attitude have led to scepticism about their potential union.

Per New York Post’s Stefan Bondy, “From what I’m hearing, I wouldn’t expect the Knicks to sign Russell Westbrook. There’s no clear path to sustained playing time for him on this roster and he’s not the type to sit comfortably on the bench.” Despite Knicks’ reported pursuit for a veteran guard, they might not consider signing Russ because there would not be enough playing time for him amid their stacked roster, which could lead to frustration.

Of course, Knicks’ starting point guard role belongs to Jalen Brunson, and that’s not going to change anytime soon. Moreover, they need more scoring off the bench, after averaging a league low 21.7 points in that department last season. That means if Westbrook moves to New York, he would have to make peace with coming off the bench, that too for limited minutes.

Although Knicks have the $5 million tax-payer exception and the veteran’s minimum exception to offer Russ, they could steer away from their pursuit to look for other options due to the issues Bondy mentioned. Well, Westbrook proved last season that coming off the bench is not a problem for him. As a backup for Jamal Murray in Denver, the former MVP got only 36 starts in 75 appearances. Despite that, he made a massive impact, averaging 13.3 points and over six assists. But its unclear if he wants to continue the same role in his next destination. Obviously, that’s not stopping teams from pursuing him.

Russell Westbrook’s availability sparks interest from several teams but Denver return remains a possibility

Apart from the Knicks, several teams, including Timberwolves, Pelicans, and Kings are also in search of a veteran guard. With Russ declining his player option for next season, he has sparked interest among these potential suitors. Of course, Timberwolves need someone to share the load with Mike Conley, who is 37-years-old and just had the worst statistical season of his career. Westbrook would solve major ball handling issues for them.

Meanwhile, Pelicans and Kings also have reported interest in the former MVP. Amid this buzz, a potential return to Denver has not been ruled out either. In just one season, Westbrook developed great chemistry with Jokic and was a solid replacement for Murray amid his injury woes. Even during their brief playoff run, Russ averaged 11.7 points and nearly three assists. If available at a reasonable price, Nuggets would not mind bringing Russ back for another run. With multiple options on the table, which team do you think is best suited for Westbrook?