The Golden State Warriors have been quiet this offseason. Too quiet. While other contenders have retooled or reloaded, Golden State remains stuck in a holding pattern — one shaped largely by Jonathan Kuminga trade talks and salary cap gymnastics.
They still have multiple open roster spots. They still need more backcourt depth behind Stephen Curry. And according to Michael Pina of The Ringer, there’s one name who might actually make some sense:
Russell Westbrook.
Warriors Looking for Help Behind Steph?
In his feature “Tupperware All-Stars: The Best Leftovers in NBA Free Agency,” Pina floated the idea of the Warriors signing Westbrook — not as a foundational piece, but as a veteran stopgap. A high-energy bench guard who can push the pace, soak up regular-season minutes, and allow Curry to conserve his legs before the playoffs.
It’s not a wild concept. Golden State still hasn’t filled out its roster. The team could use some extra firepower off the bench. And Westbrook, for all his flaws, still brings juice.
He averaged 11.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game last season. At 36 years old, he’s not what he used to be — but he still plays with relentless energy and isn’t afraid of big moments. In theory, that could be useful on a veteran team looking for one last run.
A Risky Fit in Golden State
The red flags are obvious. Westbrook’s limitations — especially as a shooter — could make him an awkward fit in Steve Kerr‘s motion-heavy offense. He shot 32.3% from deep last season and posted a brutal 40.2 effective field goal percentage in the playoffs.
His time with the Denver Nuggets started with optimism but ended with chaos. Westbrook logged more turnovers than assists during the postseason and finished the series with 26 personal fouls. The Nuggets were outscored by 92 points when he was on the court.
Add in Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler — two players who also aren’t elite shooters — and the spacing gets dicey. Pina described the potential lineup combinations as “radioactive” from a floor-spacing standpoint. And he’s not wrong.
Why It Still Might Make Sense for the Warriors
But despite all that, the Warriors need something. They’ve lost depth. They’re old. They need to preserve Curry for the long haul. Westbrook may be flawed, but he’s healthy, available, and willing to do the dirty work.
He could lead the second unit. Attack the glass. Push tempo when the starters rest. And for the minimum, the downside is limited. If it doesn’t work, you move on. If it does, it’s a low-cost win.
There’s also a strange symmetry to it all. After years of being pitted against Curry in the MVP discourse, Westbrook could now become his backup. The wild energy to Curry’s calm control. The chaos to his precision. That storyline alone might be worth the experiment.
A Hall of Fame Career Nearing the End?
Westbrook is one of the most decorated players of his generation. He’s a former MVP, nine-time All-Star, two-time scoring champ, and triple-double icon. But he’s also now looking for his seventh team in seven years, and he’s no longer a guaranteed rotation piece on a playoff team.
Pina speculated that the most likely outcome is Westbrook waiting at home, staying in shape, and hoping for an injury to open the door. But if the Warriors want to get creative — if they believe they can squeeze one more run out of this core — Westbrook is one of the few remaining names who could at least bring something different to the table.
Would it be messy? Probably. Would it be bold? Absolutely.
And that might be exactly what the Warriors need right now.
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