The Oklahoma City Thunder are still reeling from the loss of Kevin Durant to the Golden State which means that Russell Westbrook will have to do more for the team next season. Looking beyond the coming season, Sam Presti could find himself in the same situation next year.
Westbrook is unlikely to agree to a contract extension knowing he stands to earn more next season. All that is thanks to another round of salary cap hikes set for the 2017. With no guarantee of keeping him, could the Thunder consider an early trade to make sure they don’t end up with nothing after the coming season?
A team singled out by Forbes are the Miami Heat. Pat Riley has been known to pull off the unthinkable like the formation of the ‘Big Three’ (Lebron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade) back in 2010.
After losing Wade to the Chicago Bulls, Riley and the Heat could be studying their options. They need a new shooting guard and superstar which makes Westbrook a prime candidate. But do they have the assets to pull off a workable trade with the Thunder?
A look at the Heat roster right now doesn’t seem like it. Only Goran Dragic looms as a player that could interest Presti and company though Westbrook is by far a better player. A package could work but who can the Heat throw in?
Justise Winslow and/or some future picks could be possible but it may all depend on the state of the Thunder right now. Seeing that they just dislodged two of their starters, OKC may opt to play out the first half of the season and reserve a big decision for February.
If not, Presti may opt to see Westbrook play out the 2016-17 NBA season and take it from there. Right now, the Thunder don’t seem to be urgently interested in a trade but all that could remain once the regular season gets underway.
As far as Westbrook is concerned, his focus is to rise as the new leader of the OKC Thunder next season and likely ponder on his career move next Summer.
