The Los Angeles Lakers are becoming the likely destination for Russell Westbrook in case the OKC Thunder move their remaining star following Kevin Durant's decision to join the Golden State Warriors.
In a shocking turn of events that changed the landscape of the NBA, Durant formed a super-team in the Bay Area, opting for a two-year $54 million deal with the Warriors. It ended the drama surrounding the four-time scoring champion, but inadvertently started another blockbuster move that is expected by many the moment Durant bolts out of Oklahoma City.
With Durant gone, Westbrook will have a chance to step out of his now former teammate and lead the Thunder onwards. However, several fans and NBA pundits believe it is only a matter of time before the Thunder trade Westbrook before OKC could lose another one of their homegrown star to free agency, "something that has to be considered now," according to Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post.
In Bontemps' trade scenario, the Lakers send point guard D'Angelo Russell and 2016 second overall pick Brandon Ingram to the Thunder for Westbrook, who is entering the final year of his five-year $78.5 million contract with OKC.
However, any potential deal would likely require the Lakers to add more pieces to match the $17.7 million remaining in his contract. Aside from Russell and Ingram, LA could include Nick Young and Lou Williams, which ESPN's Trade Machine approved.
With young talents in Russell and Ingram, the Thunder could be looking at a Westbrook-Durant 2.0. Russell clearly has the talent to become an elite point guard like Westbrook minus the explosiveness and out-of-the world athleticism, while Ingram has drawn comparisons with Durant because of his length and shooting touch. Young and Williams, on the other hand, would provide the Thunder offensive threats off the bench.
Meanwhile, it is no secret the Lakers intend to win-now, but it is highly unlikely Timofey Mozgove and Luol Deng, who both signed lucrative deals with the team, are likely to boost LA into title contention, much more a deep playoff run. Bringing Westbrook, a proven star who can become a real game-changer, would be monumental for the Lakers moving forward.
It remains to be seen whether the Thunder would consider trading Westbrook to the Lakers, or ponder moving him at all. But regardless of wherever Westbrook possibly goes, Ryan Glasspiegel of The Big Lead believes the Thunder should "pivot" into rebuilding by dealing the 27-year-old point guard.
"Whether it's the Lakers or somewhere else, the Thunder should pivot into rebuilding mode. This is a harrowing prospect for a franchise that has often been in the title picture since moving from Seattle, but it's the best way to play their current hand," Glasspiegel wrote.
The Thunder has been reportedly mulling options to keep Westbrook for a few more years, including extending the star point guard's contract with the team. But if Westbrook opts to decline any contract negotiations, there is a great chance fans see Westbrook playing for another team like his buddy Kevin Durant.