Russell Westbrook (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics dominated the rumor mill last week as they flaunted their war chest of assets and their new-found swagger as a free agent destination after landing Al Horford.
Thus, the rumors around Las Vegas, amid the gathering of teams at Summer League swirled around the Celtics pursuing Blake Griffin and eventually Russell Westbrook.
The caveat is that both players are possible free agents, specifically Westbrook whose contract expires (as opposed to a player option for Griffin).
Recently, Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman wrote that Westbrook would not budge.
"Westbrook has given the Thunder no indication that he currently wants out," Slater said. "To the contrary, one source described him as ticked off about the Kevin Durant departure, determined for this new challenge and eager for the season to start: 'He's ready.'"
Still, even in Oklahoma, the reality is that the Thunder has tried to offer him a contract extension and Westbrook refused. If that continues to be the case later in the season, GM Sam Presti may have to salvage some assets before Westbrook leaves.
It goes without saying that any team transacting with the Thunder would seek some assurance that Westbrook would be willing to re-sign with them. Otherwise, it would cripple their team of assets (see LA Lakers - Dwight Howard). Thus, the team has to sell themselves as a competitive fit for the Thunder guard.
According to Matt Moore of CBS Sports, that's not so hard to do, at least from a basketball standpoint. The Denver Nuggets have quietly drafted well and they have players and veterans that could make the Oklahoma City Thunder competitive for years to come.
Emmanuel Mudiay is the cornerstone of the possible trade-he could be a young Westbrook (or a poor man's version) in the future. The Nuggets can add combinations of Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried or Wilson Chandler and even scorers like Gary Harris. The Nuggets also own their own draft picks.
Getting a combination of a promising young talent like Mudiay and veteran players could be better than what the Celtics could offer-specifically the Brooklyn picks which are dependent on how bad the Nets will be (and even if they're dead last, still no assurance of being no.1).
If the Celtics are reluctant to go all-in on an offer for Westbrook, they could find themselves with real rivals for his services. The Nuggets have great pieces in the frontline with Nikola Jokic developing into a stud, Jamal Murray, Will Barton as young scoring guards and whoever would be left in the package (Gallinari is likely to return as the Thunder could pick Chandler and Faried instead), Westbrook could join a solid playoff team in the Mile High City.
