The NBA was shocked after the best player in free agency, Kevin Durant, announced that he was leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the second best team in the league, the Golden State Warriors. In the meantime, OKC has a few options on how to handle OKC teammate Russell Westbrook.
OKC is reportedly trying to renegotiate and extend the contract of Russell Westbrook before he thinks of testing the free agent market for the 2017-18 NBA season.
OKC is basically more determined than ever to keep its remaining superstar after Durant left a huge void, which will obviously have huge ramifications, in terms of their playoff chances and ticket sales.
Durant decided to take the one year with a player option contract with the GSW, which means that the Thunder cannot sign-and-trade him and will get nothing in return for their top player.
Sam Presti, OKC general manager, is expected to attempt to trade Westbrook to avoid the same result again.
ESPN stated that if Russell Westbrook opts not to extend his contract with OKC this summer, several NBA executives believe that the team will try to field trade offers for the guard.
The Thunder can make some financial moves to free cap space after Durant transferred to Golden State. They may have enough cash to convince Westbrook to stay for the long term.
Russell Westbrook is set to earn $17.8 million in the present season and can add $8 million and more years to the contract, thereby removing himself from the 2017 free agency.
The NBA salary cap will most likely increase again next summer, so Westbrook can wait and ponder on staying with OKC or moving to another team with a more lucrative offer.
NY Post wrote that signing Brandon Jennings to a one-year deal actually provides the opportunity for Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks to acquire Russell Westbrook.
The Knicks may go after the OKC guard if Derrick Rose fails to perform in the next season. Westbrook seems interested in playing in New York, particularly with Kristaps Porzingis.
However, OKC is expected to remain aggressive in keeping their star. OKC will allegedly work on a contract extension that will increase his current salary to $26 million.
However, with the salary cap rising by about another $109 million next year and the max contract as a free agent starting at around $32 million, Russell Westbrook may be looking for the best deal.