Chicago Bulls: Cases for and against Russell Westbrook trade
By Ryan Heckman
Age and money
On the contrary, the absolute biggest reason for the Bulls to pull back the reins on a Westbrook deal is due to the nature of his contract. Westbrook is not a free agent until the summer of 2023 and is amidst a 5-year, $206 million contract he signed last year.
This is what his contract looks like over the next four seasons:
2019-2020: $38.5 million
2020-2021: $41.35 million
2021-2022: $44.2 million
2022-2023: $47 million (player option)
(contract details via Spotrac)
That is an absolutely ridiculous contract to pay anyone not named LeBron James, Kevin Durant or Kawhi Leonard. Sure, Westbrook is a star. But, that kind of money is a bit steep.
light. Related Story. Bulls: Westbrook is not the answer
By the time he would hit free agency in 2023 (assuming he picks up the player option in Year 5 of the deal), Westbrook will be 34 years old.
This contract doesn’t look quite as bad as the one Chris Paul is earning with the Houston Rockets, but it’s close. Westbrook is now on the second half of his career after having spent a decade in the league, and although he’s been a box score junkie for three straight years, age will catch up to him.
The Bulls cannot afford to commit that kind of money to a guy who will be in his mid-30’s by the time the contract is up.