Where he goes, what he wants, how this all goes down - no one knows - and that is not a new development. The returning of hometown hero Kevin Durant was a popular theory this summer, but along with the fact the Wizards had no chance to contend, he didn’t even gift them some of a his time with a meeting in free agency. Golden State was, by far, the most attractive landing spot for the free agent, but the opportunity to join the Warriors only existed this summer.
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Westbrook’s expiring contract will give him say in the process. He averaged 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game while teaming with Durant last season.
The other options on the table this year were re-signing for a year with the Thunder, which would put Durant and Westbrook on the free-agent market in the summer of 2017, or Boston. Yet, it’s possible the Thunder GM could be more limited in his options than it appears at a glance. I would think it’s going to take most if not all of the Brooklyn picks, the swap [with Brooklyn] next year, probably Marcus Smart as well. You’re getting the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft, a 3-and-D guy in Jerebko, and Bradley, who you can pair with Oladipo in a new backcourt that will be devastating defensively.
Knowing the answer to that question is everything.
In the heat of the Western Conference finals, according to The Vertical, Russell Westbrook and other members of the Thunder expressed frustration over Durant’s friendship with instigator Draymond Green, who didn’t bother to hide he had been actively recruiting Durant to the Warriors for months. Will he stay in OKC?
And remember, the stars weren’t the only Thunder players to suffer injuries in 2014-15. He was followed by LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Westbrook, Draymond Green, Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Derrick Rose.
Durant is gone. Will Westbrook be next to follow?
Sports Illustrated reported that another reason Thunder might think of trading Russell this season as he would be all set to hit the National Basketball Association free agency arena next year. To keep Westbrook in 2017 to try and win a title, only to lose him for nothing in free agency after an unsuccessful season would be a awful move for the franchise moving forward. Or perhaps he doesn’t know what he wants to do. However, it’s hard to see Westbrook going for an extension. Better to get what they can for him now before it’s too late.
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With his departure becoming more and more likely, the Thunder will at least be fielding trade offers for the 27-year-old guard. The team would be gambling that Westbrook and whatever youngsters they managed to keep out of Sam Presti’s clutches (in addition to the extra contract year Westbrook’s bird rights would allow them to offer) would be a competitive enough team to convince him to stay, but such a move does not come without risk.
