Russell Westbrook could be traded soon either to the Boston Celtics or the Los Angeles Lakers (Photo : Getty Images for True Religion/Andrew Toth)
Russell Westbrook is still the focus of potential blockbuster NBA trade rumors following the departure of his long-time partner Kevin Durant from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Trade rumors have cropped up following reports that the all star guard will not sign any extension with his current ballclub.
Westbrook is now the top dog for the Thunder though that may be the case for just a year. With the scoring guard opting to wait for NBA Free Agency 2017, the reason seen behind it is the money he stands to earn. Another round of team salary spikes is expected next year, Sports Illustrated reported.
With no commitment from Westbrook, Thunder general manager Sam Presti finds himself pressed to a corner. OKC may just end up with nothing in exchange for their star guard which is where potential trades have cropped up.
Two teams have been mentioned as potential trade partners – the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. Presti has been known to think ahead at the first sign of trouble and Westbrook’s case is no different. Rather than end up with nothing, he could cook up a deal with Danny Ainge where the likely returns would be future draft picks according to the Bleacher Report.
If nothing materializes between the Thunder and the Celtics, the focus could shift to the Los Angeles Lakers according to CBS sports. The team has been aching to get back on track following successive poor seasons, made even worse with the retirement of Kobe Bryant.
The Los Angeles Lakers managed to snag the second overall pick from the 2016 NBA Draft, fishing in a promising young player named Brandon Ingram. However with the promise the rookie is showing, it is unlikely that the Lakers would be giving him up in exchange for Westbrook.
With that said, the Thunder will have to look at other players in the mix. The Lakers are bent on keeping their core of young upstarts such as D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr. All are considered part of the team’s future.
If so, this means that other players could be dealt. Leading the pack is a disgruntled Nick Young whose stock has been dipping. But will Presti take that chance on the often distracted guard?
Russell looms as a perfect successor to Bryant. Should a deal be struck, the Lakers are likely considering the scenario of not having a lock on Westbrook as well after this season. If that should be the case, the best scenario is to wait for NBA Free Agency 2017.
Then again, it depends on the sense of urgency the Lakers have as far as getting back to the top. Westbrook is an uncalculated risk but their chances of getting back on top will increase considerably.
