Following the Oklahoma City Thunder’s worst season under the Kevin Durant-Russell Westbrook era, a move for one of the two stars seemed plausible. Durant’s been linked several times with the Washington Wizards, and rumor is they’re trying to clear cap space in order to sign him next offseason. Westbrook, on the other hand, appears firm on staying with Oklahoma City despite their recent lack of success. For this upcoming 2015-16 season, however, both will play side by side, that is, when Kevin Durant is healthy.
Last season, all fantasy owners saw the true power of Russell Westbrook. Durant played just 27 games throughout the season, and Westbrook had the team to himself. He put up five more shots a game and consequently lowered both his field goal and three-point percentage. Despite this, he averaged a career high 28 points per game. Along with points, he improved his rebounds, assists, steals, turnovers and shots taken to career bests. For Westbrook, last year was his best year by far.
Fantasy owners on his hype train shouldn’t expect the sort of numbers he tallied at the end of last season though. Those were desperate times and without Durant, Westbrook had to lead the team to insure a spot in the playoffs. Although his stats are arguably top in the league and most well-rounded, his fantasy value hasn’t improved much from last season. While he may rack up a ton of points, rebounds and assists; Westbrook also shoots poorly and turns the ball over way too much. It’s key for fantasy owners to draft players who don’t hinder them in any category, like LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Westbrook may carry your team in those basic three categories, but not in the marginal yet most important ones (percentages and turnovers).
Westbrook’s consistency and durability are middle of the road. As far as consistency goes, a bad game for him is not a triple-double. When he does have a night off, he makes up for it by adding lots of rebounds, assists and steals. For example, last season against the Miami Heat, Westbrook only scored 12 points and shot 31 percent from the field. On top of those 12 points though, he grabbed nine rebounds and dished out 17 assists.
Durability, on the other hand, is more of an issue for him. Like the Chicago Bulls, OKC just can’t seem to stay healthy. Durant missed over half the season and Westbrook sat out 15 games due to a broken hand suffered in the second game of the season and a concussion later on. In the last three years, he’s only played all 82 games one season (2012-2013). The other two years he’s been sidelined for 51 total games, 36 during 2013-2014 and 15 last season. Those aren’t very promising numbers for a first round pick each owner is heavily reliant on. If he’s drafted, expect a couple missed games here and there, and not to be a downer, but chances are those weeks will be lost by all teams with Westbrook on the roster.
Durability: B
Overall Stats: A-
Consistency: A
Mock Draft Ranking: #5