The Miami Heat are undergoing some big changes this offseason.
The team won the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, and as a result, has to be taken seriously as a contender in the Eastern Conference again. The team had to send out some key pieces in that trade, like Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr., but they also added nice role players like Bobby Portis and Tim Hardaway Jr.
However, it’s clear the team needs some better depth. The Heat don’t have many scoring options off the bench, which means they should be interested in bringing in Russell Westbrook.
Russell Westbrook would fit in with the Heat
Westbrook spent 2025-26 with the Sacramento Kings. It was a wasted season as the Kings were again one of the worst teams in the league, but Westbrook had a decent individual season.
The veteran guard played in 64 games and averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game. Westbrook shot 42% from the field and 33% from deep, which is actually much better than his career average.
Jugo Mobile’ own Dharya Sharma recently identified landing spots for the best free agents left, and naturally, Sharma picked the Heat for Westbrook. Regarding that decision, Sharma offered the following:
Miami’s top need is perimeter shooting, and though Westbrook wouldn’t address that, the former MVP would be a fantastic facilitator and leader of the Heat’s second unit.
Westbrook averaged 15.2 points and 6.7 assists per game with the Kings in 2025, and should sign for the minimum. This would be a savvy signing by the Heat, and one that Erik Spoelstra would take full advantage of.
As Sharma mentioned, even though Westbrook was decent from deep last year, he’s not going to solve Miami’s offensive woes. He would, however, provide a scoring punch off the bench and would be able to lead the offense when Antetokounmpo has to rest.
Westbrook would probably like playing for Miami after wasting away on a horrible team last year. Playing for one of the top head coaches in the league would certainly be appealing, as would the chance to be a running mate for Antetokounmpo.
One of the only things lefts for Westbrook to do is to win a title. The Heat are far from a lock to do that in 2026-27 now that the Eastern Conference is better, but they have a shot, and a player like Westbrook can still be a crucial piece for a contender.