Former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook is looking for a new home, and the Indiana Pacers are looking for a third point guard. However, it would be in the best interest of both sides if they each look elsewhere.
In some ways, Westbrook could be a decent fit in Indiana, mostly because he fits their transition scheme and can run the floor. However, he would be the team's third point guard next season behind Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell, and that may not be what he is looking for, especially at this point in his career. Furthermore, Sam Vecenie of the Game Theory Podcast recently suggested that the California native might "lose his mind" if he has to back up McConnell.
"I just think he'd lose his mind if he's sat behind T.J. McConnell," Sam Vecenie said about the possibility of Westbrook joining the Pacers.
While he is no longer in his prime, Westbrook has proven that he still has a lot left in the tank and can contribute on a winning team. However, he does not fit Indiana's system, and the team must stay away from signing the 36-year-old regardless of what their point guard situation looks like.
The Pacers need a third point guard for next season
Tyrese Haliburton's injury put the Pacers in an incredibly tough spot regarding their point guard position. As it stands, it seems that Nembhard is going to run the point full-time next season, whereas McConnell will continue to be the team's primary backup. However, it is fair to say the Pacers may want to look into adding a third point guard to the mix to take some of the pressure off the other two.
Indiana has a few solid options if they want to bring another point guard in. The most likely option is rookie Kam Jones, who is on a standard contract and looked solid in Summer League. There is a lot to like about Jones' outlook in Indiana. His ceiling, especially with the Pacers specifically, is not too high, but he still brings a lot to the table and could be in for a solid role next season.
The Pacers also have two other intriguing point guard options in RayJ Dennis and Quenton Jackson, who are each on a two-way contract. At different points, both of these guards showed promise and may deserve a standard contract down the line. As the Pacers look to bolster their team ahead of next season, they are each players to keep an eye on.
Beyond the players they already have, it is not entirely out of the question for Indiana to look into external options to bring a third point guard into the fold. However, no matter what they do, they would be best off by steering away from Westbrook's direction.