The Oklahoma City Thunder has to move on from the loss of Kevin Durant. The jury's still out on Russell Westbrook.
Most of the pundits are speculating that Westbrook is likely to leave, some NBA execs even saying he's 100% gone, as shown here. Westbrook will be in the same seat as Kevin Durant at the end of the season and the main reason that he'd stay (which is Durant) is gone.
The Thunder should not panic with Westbrook just yet as he could be geared for an MVP-type season, but the reality will soon reach Westbrook that they're not a contender and he has a shot to move to a big city like New York or Los Angeles.
Thunder GM Sam Presti could learn from the James Harden trade and try to get assets in return-and make Westbrook some other teams' problem. He would not be short of options and there are already rumors of the Lakers and Celtics among other teams already presented as candidates.
Zach Lowe of ESPN has another interesting suggestion that could bring back a fair return.
"Presti doesn't want to trade Westbrook, but if he feels backed into a corner, he will chase young players and draft picks. The Phoenix Suns reportedly talked with the Atlanta Hawks about Paul Millsap, and they come armed with prospects galore, extra point guards and two future Miami picks," Lowe wrote.
The Phoenix Suns have real assets and they have two starting-grade point guards. They could easily deal one of them for Westbrook and they have some real assets to throw in.
This was discussed on Suns team site Bright Side of the Sun but not a lot of their fans are supportive because of the idea of Westbrook leaving in one year.
However, Phoenix is not that far from the West Coast and could have a more competitive team than the LA Lakers, for instance. Westbrook, if he were in Phoenix, could attract free agents to the franchise. They would have a backcourt of Westbrook and rising star Devin Booker, whose playing styles would not conflict with each other.
From the Oklahoma City Thunder standpoint, they can get Eric Bledsoe as the main piece in return. He is a scoring guard like Westbrook but he doesn't get to do all the other things that Westbrook does (no triple doubles, probably).
The Suns could throw in their draft picks or the 2018 Miami Heat picks that they also hold. The Suns could also offer TJ Warren or maybe Alex Len.
Bledsoe for Westbrook is a definite downgrade but it will cover the position. The Thunder should just get picks and complementary pieces. If Westbrook is bound to be leaving, then the Thunder should take it.