5 NBA Trade Machine Scenarios for Thunder Star Russell Westbrook

After Paul George surprisingly requested a trade out of Oklahoma City just one year after inking an extension with the organization, it now seems that Russell Westbrook's days with the Thunder could be numbered. Reports claim that Westbrook and his agent are discussing the possibility of finding a trade partner with OKC GM Sam Presti.

The biggest hinderance in Westbrook's trade value is his monumental contract, as he's due to make $38.5 million this year. In 2022, the final season of his four-year deal, Russ will be earning an exorbitant $47 million (assuming he picks up his player option), a salary not many teams are capable of taking on.

Still, a player of Russ' caliber will always have a market, so here are five possible trades involving him that work with ESPN's NBA Trade Machine.

5. Chicago Bulls

Chicago trades Otto Porter Jr, Kris Dunn and Coby White to OKC for Russell Westbrook and a first-round pick.

The Bulls have been looking for their point guard of the future for some time now, and may have found him in Coby White. But if Westbrook were offered, would they consider fast-forwarding their rebuild and making a move for the former MVP? OKC would receive a high-upside guard in White, a 25-year-old Dunn, and Porter Jr., who has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career. Because White was just drafted and signed to his rookie deal, he's ineligible to be traded for 30 days, but could still be dealt before the regular season.

4. Houston Rockets

Rockets acquire Russell Westbrook, Steven Adams and a future first-round pick from OKC in exchange for Chris Paul, Clint Capela and Eric Gordon.

This trade is an interesting one, but if the Rockets want to reunite Westbrook with James Harden, this is likely the only feasible way. CP3 and Russ are on the same max deal, so their salaries are a wash. Eric Gordon's $14 million will be off the books after this coming season, while Capela is a young big with a manageable salary over the next four seasons. It may not be the most ideal swap, but it's certainly doable.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

OKC trades Russell Westbrook to the Cavaliers in exchange for Tristan Thompson, Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton and a future first-round pick.

The Cavs could make their own tandem of stars in Cleveland if they paired Westbrook with Kevin Love. OKC would be able to shed Westbrook's salary and take on Thompson and Clarkson for the final year of their contracts. While the Cavs have a stockpile of young point guards, their decision to draft Darius Garland suggests they aren't overly confident in Sexton going forward. Perhaps they could dish him to OKC, where he'd line up alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as the Thunder would enter a rebuild, while also taking on a future first from Cleveland.

2. Detroit Pistons

OKC sends Russell Westbrook and Andre Roberson to Detroit for Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson.

If Detroit wants to contend in the East this year, they need an upgrade at point guard. Dealing Drummond and Jackson to OKC in order to land Westbrook could be their best chance at a significant improvement at the position. Detroit would have a star duo to compete with the rest of the league in Griffin and Westbrook, while OKC would be able to move on from Jackson (again) after one year, while Drummond is under contract for two more seasons. Roberson is on an expiring contract, so Detroit wouldn't need to keep him on board past this season.

1. Miami Heat

Thunder trade Russell Westbrook to Miami in
exchange for Goran Dragic, Kelly Olynyk and Bam Adebayo.

The salaries in this deal match up, and if OKC is truly trying to offload Westbrook, then this could be their best bet. Miami would love to pair Westbrook with their newest addition, Jimmy Butler, while the Thunder would receive a valuable young asset in Adebayo and a capable ball handler in Dragic. Herro is unproven, but his game, particularly his shooting, translates well into today's NBA, so this could be a big win for Miami.