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New York Knicks: 5 Reasons to Oppose Russell Westbrook Trade

By Maurice Moton

Nov 28, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the New York Knicks during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the New York Knicks during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) dribble the ball around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half at the United Center. The Bulls won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) dribble the ball around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half at the United Center. The Bulls won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Too Many Ball-Handlers

Here’s a long-term issue if Westbrook signs in the offseason and Rose re-signs.

How many basketballs can go around to keep Westbrook, Rose and Anthony happy? Winning hides all the selfishness, but how can each player perform at optimal levels while sharing ball possession? The Knicks would encounter plenty of awkward situations on the court.

A healthy Rose and Westbrook essentially resemble each other as scoring guards in the backcourt. The Knicks would have to choose between the two.

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With Westbrook alone, the connection between him and Anthony will either keep the team afloat as a contender or sink the ship. A move at, or before, the trade deadline would bring utter disaster. Rose and Westbrook together would cause frequent migraines for head coach Jeff Hornacek throughout the remainder of the season.

However, signing Westbrook during free agency deserves considerable thought. Until then, Knicks fans should be thankful for the work Jackson put in during the offseason.

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