Russell Westbrook could stay with the Los Angeles Lakers if he gets traded by the OKC Thunder to Tinsel town this offseason.
It appears the Thunder have decided to move on from Russell Westbrook after all, despite claims of keeping hold of the star point guard. According to Bleacher Report's Howard Beck, the Thunder could trade Westbrook "sooner rather than later" as fans are about to see an end of an era in OKC.
While the Thunder have yet to decide where they would send Westbrook, Beck believes the Boston Celtics are "the most likely destination" for the star PG. But that is not to say other teams could not attempt to pry out Westbrook from the Thunder.
The Lakers could be one of the teams in the mix to trade for Westbrook, a California native who played college basketball in UCLA. Heading to Los Angeles would give Westbrook a chance to bring his fashion on a bigger market, but more importantly, a chance to be Kobe Bryant's Purple and Gold successor.
However, trading for Westbrook would likely cost the Lakers too many pieces, including their core of young talents, which consists of D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram.
Moreover, the Lakers believe trading for Westbrook is not necessary as the team believes they can sign him in the summer of 2017," according to ESPN's Chris Broussard. But CBS Sports' Matt Moore has an interesting take at the Lakers trading for Westbrook now rather than signing him in next year's free agency.
According to Moore, whichever team trades for Westbrook would likely keep him for another five-year pact, mainly because any of the teams interested in Westbrook would retain his bird-rights to re-sign him for more money.
"Plus, it's much easier to sell Westbrook on the perks of living in L.A. and being a part of the Lakers when he's already there than it is to sell him on it as a free agent. That's why LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and everyone else who has been a marquee free agent over the last two years has turned them down," Moore added.
However, Moore also cautioned the Lakers to be wise on whom they plan to exchange for Westbrook's services.
"Ingram and Russell? Russell and Randle? Ingram and Randle? Clarkson, Randle and Ingram? It's a tough question because any one of Russell, Randle or Ingram could be a superstar, though not at Westbrook's level. Those players are rare. Pick the wrong one to part ways with, and you can set your franchise back yet again."
There is a growing sense the Lakers would push hard for a Westbrook trade after lackluster signings in free agency. But the price won't be cheap, and doing so will not be easy, with other teams lurking to trade for Westbrook.