Heat Target Westbrook as LeBron Backup | NBA News

The Miami Heat are chasing LeBron James but are preparing a bold Plan B: Russell Westbrook. With the free agent market thin and a dire need for a playmaker, Pat Riley sees Westbrook as a high-value backup if LeBron stays away. At 37, Westbrook still delivers elite stats off the bench—15.2 PPG, 6.7 APG, 5.4 RPG—with remarkable durability and relentless energy that fits Heat Culture. He’d thrive alongside Giannis, creating chaos in the paint and energizing the second unit. The concern? His three-point shooting could hurt spacing, but with the right shooters around him, the Heat might just hide that flaw. Westbrook’s veteran savvy, rebounding, and hustle make him a steal—even if he signs for the veteran minimum. LeBron’s dream remains, but Westbrook could be the savvy, high-impact fallback that turns a roster around. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/3ff411032d25116c