Russell Westbrook and Blake Griffin (Photo : Twitter)
The NBA trade rumors will now have a new king of the hill in Russell Westbrook.
Certain variations of trades will inevitably emerge because most pundits believe the chances are very slim for the Oklahoma City Thunder to retain him.
One trade that was prepared for Kevin Durant could work with Westbrook, considering that they're both top 5 players, and the narrative with Durant last season now applies to Russ. The only caveat is that the Thunder has less leverage this time because Durant already left.
Thunder GM Sam Presti is reportedly trying to stave off Westbrook's free agency, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
"One option the team is considering is attempting to renegotiate and extend the contract of Westbrook before he can become a free agent after next season, sources told ESPN," Windhorst reported.
However, the report also stated that the chance for Westbrook to agree on that is slim.
"With the salary cap expected to leap again next summer, however, Westbrook would stand to earn more money by waiting and signing a new contract with the Thunder or another team then." The Thunder has no choice. It's either trade Westbrook or risk losing him to free agency.
The Thunder is unlikely to do the latter. They took a chance with Durant because of their playoff success, but earlier on, if they know that their chance is slim, they would rather do what they did with Harden and get some value in return.
The LA Clippers pitched a Blake Griffin for Kevin Durant swap at their meeting, the point being Griffin would agree to re-sign with OKC because it's his hometown team. Fox Sports suggested the same trade for Westbrook. The Clippers will send Blake Griffin and a future first round pick for Russell Westbrook.
It's more of an even trade than Durant-both Blake and Russ are expiring contracts so no team has more risk. Both are also coming home since Russ is from Long Beach and an alumnus of UCLA.
Rob Perez of Fox believes that Westbrook and Chris Paul would not only get along with each other, they would make each other better.
"Most importantly, with the NBA's most prominent floor general (Chris Paul) already on the roster, this trade would allow Westbrook to play off the ball as a shooting guard, a position many think he would fit him better than point guard because he won't have to bear the burden of creating for his teammates."
What would also be interesting is how Westbrook and Durant would become Division Rivals in the Pacific. It will keep the Thunder competitive (Oladipo could play point again and they still have Steven Adams) and the Western Conference a three-way race (Warriors, Spurs, Clippers).
