After Russell Westbrook decided to sign an extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team hoped it would kill the trade rumors surrounding him.
However, there are still a lot of pundits who believe that it could be a ploy to increase his trade value.
According to most forecasts the Thunder project to make the playoffs. Westbrook is a certified top five NBA player who is primed to become an MVP candidate. They also have young players like the recently acquired Victor Oladipo. There are also incumbent players like Steven Adams.
That is a solid component for a playoff team, but how can they improve from that point? Can the Thunder count on attracting free agents when they can't even keep their own?
According to ESPN in their summer forecast, the Thunder would finish 6th behind Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, LA Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz.
"Our panel still likes the Thunder's chances of making the playoffs. Over the past two seasons, Russell Westbrook played 48 games without Durant; he averaged 30.5 points, 9.2 assists and 7.6 rebounds, and he registered 11 triple-doubles. Oklahoma City went 25-23 in those 48 games, which would equate to 43 wins, just barely south of where our forecast places the Thunder in 2016-17," the projection said.
Will the Thunder even get out of the first round with that lineup? They have yet to address the small forward position and with Westbrook's extension, they lose all flexibility. The extension offer was virtually a "Westbrook or bust" deal.
In a report from Brew Hoop, it claimed that four teams were interested in acquiring Westbrook's services. The Milwaukee Bucks were said to have offered "significant assets" but they balked when Westbrook refused to sign an extension (which would mean that acquiring Westbrook is a rental for one season).
The game changes now that Westbrook has signed an extension, which guarantees him until the end of the 2017-18 season. It turns the Westbrook sweepstakes into an asset bidding war, and if the Celtics lay the Brooklyn picks on the table, the OKC Thunder will likely take it. It's the best asset to rebuild again and Thunder GM Sam Presti is obviously one of the best at the draft.
It could also be a win for Westbrook. If the Celtics send the Brooklyn picks, they don't need to send strong players (aside from point guards to replace Westbrook) that would decimate their roster. Unlike the Bucks, who may have to send Jabari Parker, Greg Monroe and/or Khris Middleton to the Thunder, that will make them a much weaker team.
The pendulum has really swung in the Celtics' favor and if the Thunder doesn't like their chances of signing a free agent in 2017, this is their best bet.