Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

As OKC Thunder appear headed for a rebuild, could Russell Westbrook spark Magic in Orlando?

By Aidan E

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 15: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on from the bench during pregame warm ups prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on January 15, 2017 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 15: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on from the bench during pregame warm ups prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on January 15, 2017 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
OKC Thunder
OKC Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Despite Westbrook being on the wrong side of 30 and having a four year 170 million dollar contract, he would immediately be an upgrade at the point guard position for the Magic.

Stats comparison:

Westbrook:

PIPM: +3.1 (27th) | RPM: 2.51 (42nd)

Augustin:

PIPM: +102 (83rd) | RPM:  1.20 (91st)

Carter-Williams:

PIPM: -0.07 (185th)  | RPM:  -3.04 (320th)

Link to PIPM and RPM stats.

Augustin is going into the last season of the four-year $29 million dollar contract he signed in the 2016 offseason, making him an unrestricted free agent next year. Westbrook would provide the Magic four guaranteed years of point guard play and a superstar personality that the Magic have lacked for years. When is the last time you heard the NBA media discuss the Orlando Magic?

While Westbrook is not the shooter that Augustin is, Westbrook is a better playmaker and defender than Augustin. He also has a superstar personality and is a household name across the world which would certainly increase the attendance at the Amway Center where the Magic were 18th in total attendance throughout the year.

Note: PIPM is the acronym for player impact plus-minus and RPM is the acronym for real plus-minus.

Russ could team up with center Nikola Vucevic for the remainder of their contracts and make Orlando a yearly playoff team in the mediocre Eastern Conference. With their All-Star guard and All-Star center locked in for the future as well as other talented players, Orlando might finally be on the path to success.

Home/Thunder News