Russell Westbrook, Kristaps Porzingis' Top Free-Agent Landing Spots After 2026 NBA Draft
Much of the NBA's recent focus has been on the long-term future with the 2026 draft taking center stage, but there are still plenty of available veterans this offseason who can make the difference for a contender looking for a win-now impact.
Veterans such as Russell Westbrook and Kristaps Porziņģis.
While neither player is in the peak of their career at this point, they figure to attract plenty of interest in free agency. So with the 2026 NBA draft now in the rearview mirror, here is a look at some potential landing spots for each player.
Russell Westbrook
1 of 2
Phoenix Suns
Cleveland Cavaliers
Houston Rockets
There was a time when Westbrook was one of the league's best playmakers and someone who could elevate almost any roster.
The 2026-27 season will not be that time.
With concerns about his shooting efficiency, turnovers and overall usage rate, no contender is going to make the 2016-17 MVP a centerpiece of their offense next season. But Westbrook is still someone who can attack the basket, rebound from the backcourt and provide an immediate boost to a bench unit lacking offensive firepower, which could make a significant difference for some contenders.
The Phoenix Suns (23rd), Cleveland Cavaliers (25th) and Houston Rockets (last) were all among the worst teams in the league in bench points last season, per NBA.com. All of them are surely looking to take strides in that area next season with cheaper additions, and Westbrook is someone who fits the bill.
Westbrook would be a type of offensive insurance for all three of them, but especially the Cavaliers. With Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, they don't need him to play heavy minutes. Instead, he can provide a spark when the offense stalls and work in pick-and-pops with Evan Mobley.
As for the Rockets, Westbrook's willingness to get out in transition and draw multiple defenders his way should open up looks on the wing. Whether he is doing that while bolstering the second unit or mixing in with starting shooters such as Kevin Durant, there is an impact to be made.
And Phoenix simply needs someone who can get to the rim and create looks for himself and others when Devin Booker is resting. Westbrook may be a high-profile name, but he can do that in a minor role.
Kristaps Porzingis
2 of 2
Golden State Warriors
Philadelphia 76ers
Indiana Pacers
When healthy, Porziņģis is someone who could still be a primary contributor at this stage of his career.
But he has to remain on the court.
The big man played just 32 games last season between the Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors and hasn't appeared in more than 65 games since the 2016-17 campaign. He was still impactful in those 32 games with averages of 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks to go along with his shooting range that allows him to stretch the floor and create matchup problems.
Still, he may need to sign a short-term prove-it deal this offseason instead of a long-term one because of those durability concerns.
Returning to the Warriors makes sense. NBA Insider Jake Fischer reported in June the Western Conference team was "hopeful" it could bring him back "on more of a cap-friendly deal after absorbing his $30.7 million expiring contract from Atlanta on Deadline Day in February."
He can still be a floor-spacing, rim-protecting frontcourt player for the Warriors, which is exactly what they need with Stephen Curry's style of play. And this is a team very much still in win-now mode with veterans in Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler leading the way, so there would be no awkward timeline matches.
But there are other landing spots if Porziņģis is willing to take a smaller deal.
The Philadelphia 76ers need frontcourt depth behind Joel Embiid, and Porziņģis is someone who could work in pick-and-pops with Tyrese Maxey. As for the Indiana Pacers, they surely envision a return to contention next season with Tyrese Haliburton coming back to the lineup, and the big man could provide that floor spacing there as well.
Indiana made a run to the 2025 NBA Finals in part because of Myles Turner's ability to stretch the floor and create matchup problems from the frontcourt, and Porziņģis could be a de-facto replacement for him and work in offensive sets with Haliburton much in the same way.
