Russell Westbrook’s next stop remains unsettled, and Dillon Brooks thinks he knows why.
With reports saying Westbrook is not expected back with the Sacramento Kings, the former MVP is still out there as a free agent searching for a landing spot. Brooks, speaking on a recent stream with influencer N3ON, pointed to the challenge Westbrook’s game can create for coaches.
Westbrook has spent years building a reputation as one of the league’s most electric players. Back in his Oklahoma City Thunder days, his athleticism and nonstop motor made him a nightmare to game-plan for, and that kind of impact kept him near the top of scouting reports. He was the MVP of the league, and that label still carries weight.
But the league has changed for him in recent years. Westbrook has shifted into more of a role player, bringing huge energy wherever he goes. That was especially clear with the Denver Nuggets, though Brooks suggested that the fit has not always been simple for the coaches trying to manage him.
Brooks, who has carved out his own role around the league with the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies and now the Suns, framed the issue in blunt terms.
"He's willing to play; he's not like one of those superstars who's like 'I'm not playing.' He's shown that he wants to win...
His play style is so different. It’s hard to coach.
He needs the ball. He has to have the ball in his hands," Brooks said about Westbrook not being appealing to many coaches.
Westbrook has shown he can adapt to different coaches and systems, but the perception around him may still be working against him. Even so, he is drawing some attention around the league, including talk of a reunion with the Rockets and Kevin Durant.
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Suns Put Former First Round Pick Under Real Preseason Pressure
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Phoenixs coaching staff will use those preseason minutes to sort through the back end of the roster, and Dunns case is especially tricky because his value has not yet translated into a defined job. His defense remains part of the conversation, but until the offense catches up enough to make him a usable small-ball option, the Suns have little choice but to keep testing whether he can hold his place. [Read more 🡒]