Washington Wizards: 3 Players who will benefit the most from Russell Westbrook
By Jamal Bedell
Russell Westbrook is set to make his Washington Wizards debut against the Detroit Pistons. Once he finally takes the floor, who will benefit the most?
We’re going to have to be patient, Wizards fans. Although we all want to see Russell Westbrook in a Wizards jersey asap, we will have to wait. At least until the third preseason game. Westbrook was set to make his debut vs. the Detroit Pistons on December 17 but has been ruled out, again, for rest. Scott Brooks chose to rest a few of his players in the Wizards’ first preseason game on Sunday. Bradley Beal, Davis Bertans, Ish Smith, and Westbrook did not suit up in the 119-114 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. In their absences, however, were a few bright spots for Washington.
Rui Hachimura looked more than ready for his second NBA season and finished the preseason loss with 18 points and 4 rebounds in 23 minutes. Thomas Bryant, Troy Brown Jr, and Paul Neto all looked good, as well. But Deni Avdija was the real star of the show. The ninth overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft was perfect from the field and finished with 15 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
However, Russell Westbrook is still the talk of the team. We’re all just waiting until the Wizards’ newest addition shows us what he can do in D.C. The Wizards only have two more preseason games versus the Detroit Pistons before their season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 23. Once Westbrook does takes the court, it will have ripple effects that will benefit almost everyone on the roster. But who will Westbrook help out the most?