After a month of speculation and with other names like Blake Griffin and DeMarcus Cousins being dragged, it has been confirmed that Russell Westbrook was indeed the target of both the LA Lakers and Boston Celtics.
Both teams are still positioning themselves as a trade partner with the Lakers holding off on signing their newly-drafted rookie. Basketball Insiders cap expert Larry Coon addressed a question about the Lakers in his chat with this revealing statement.
"I know the Lakers are trying to be opportunistic with their remaining cap space, and I believe they are waiting for the Westbrook situation to resolve itself before they make any other moves," Coon said.
On the other hand, Tommy Beer in a separate Basketball Insiders piece has mentioned both the Celtics and Lakers as the teams that are actively pursuing Westbrook but they are, as any GM would hesitant to engage in a one-year rental.
The Celtics in particular has made the extension as a must.
"Thus, it has been rumored that the Celtics would make Westbrook agreeing to a restructured extension a prerequisite to completing a blockbuster deal."
This is probably the reason why the Thunder would prefer to trade Westbrook to Boston. By "blockbuster" it would be presumed that one or more of the Brooklyn Nets' picks are involved in the deal. With the Nets being projected as one of the worst teams in the league, the pick could be in the top 3 with an anticipated, star-studded draft.
However, it all hinges on Westbrook. They need to work with their star to get a reasonable deal. Beer noted that there are also financial benefits with regards to how he transfers (via trade or free agency) because of the Bird Rights. Beer illustrated Westbrook's five-year contract as follows.
|
2017-18 |
2018-19 |
2019-20 |
2020-21 |
2021-22 |
|
$28.8 MM |
$30.9 MM |
$33.2 MM |
$35.7 MM |
$38.4 MM |
Beer said "if a team such as the Celtics or Lakers traded for Westbrook this year they would also then possess his Bird Rights and could sign him to the same contract."
If Westbrook left via free agency, his contract would only last four years max with lower annual increases.
|
2017-18 |
2018-19 |
2019-20 |
2020-21 |
|
$28.8 MM |
$30.1 MM |
$31.5 MM |
$32.9 MM |
Thus, there is also an incentive for Westbrook to plan early and work on his departure with his current team, but ultimately, the choice is his. If Kevin Durant was not mindful of the extra money (and extra year) because of his shoe deals and other financial streams, so can Westbrook.