Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook (Photo : J. Pat Carter/Getty Images Sport)
Russell Westbrook continues to dominate the trade rumor mill again as negotiations with teams have been confirmed. One surprising entry is that the San Antonio Spurs have joined the mix.
The Spurs is not a team known for chasing big name players regardless of fit, but Westbrook's talent level is off the charts and the Spurs know that they need to up the ante because of the looming threat of the Golden State Warriors.
According to a claim by Adam Joseph of SB Nation, the OKC Thunder has talked to teams about a Russell Westbrook trade. That included the LA Lakers, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio Spurs.
per sources, Presti discussed Westbrook deals with several different teams (inc. SAS, MIL, LAL, BOS), but no middle ground was found.
— Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) July 21, 2016
deals included players & picks from BOS, LAL. Spurs deal was player centric, Bucks very keen but backed away w/o an extension guarantee. — Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) July 21, 2016
The terms of the possible trade were not discussed and on how far the discussions went (except for the Bucks). But the takeaway is that the Thunder will listen to offers (contrary to what they have publicly declared) but the caveat is that Westbrook, as of now, seems reluctant to sign an extension and this affects any offers the teams are willing to do.
In the SB Nation San Antonio Spurs blog Pounding The Rock, Brayden Neubauer revealed that the asking price was Kawhi Leonard.
"Don't get too excited though, Spurs fans, because the asking price was reportedly Kawhi Leonard," Neubauer stated.
It seems like the Spurs will not even think twice about the trade. While it is probably the only fair value, one on one swap (a top 5 player for someone in the same echelon), "a Kawhi for Russ trade simply will never happen" Neubauer declared.
The first main reason is the players' contract status. Leonard still has three years on his contract which is a definite steal considering the contracts signed this summer. In contrast, Westbrook is an expiring contract and the only way that can even out is if Westbrook agrees to sign an extension (which he won't do with OKC).
Even if Westbrook does agree to sign an extension (or somehow assure the Spurs that he will re-sign with them at the end of the season), it's still doubtful that the Spurs trade a player that they developed and is now the anchor of their defense, not to mention their top wing player.
|The Spurs are deep, if inexperienced, at point guard and are thin at the wing after Kawhi, Danny Green and Manu Ginobili," the article stated. Green has not been reliable last season and Ginobili is on his final legs. In contrast, the Spurs still has Tony Parker at the point with Cory Joseph as back-up and they can develop first round pick Dejounte Murray.
What if the Thunder lowers the price, like a package centered on Tony Parker (highly doubtful but if the Thunder get desperate and the Spurs is the team Russ will sign on)? That's a different question, but as of now, the Spurs will not trade for Westbrook.
