Heat Reportedly Playing Hardball in Russell Westbrook Negotiations With Thunder
By Michael Luciano
Following Sam Presti hitting the reset button when he flipped Paul George to the Clippers for an avalanche of draft picks, the rumor mill has been dominated with rumblings about the next destination of Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook.
Given their need for a point guard and Westbrook's desire to play in that city, Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat have been mentioned as a potential landing spot. The biggest obstacle towards a Westbrook trade could be Pat Riley, who is refusing Oklahoma City's desire for multiple young players and assets.
OKC has asked the Heat for "multiple young, valuable assets in trade conversations" involving Russell Westbrook. Miami has refused so far, per @MiamiHerald pic.twitter.com/JyYllP927K
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 11, 2019
Without tons of stockpiled draft picks or young players to build around, the Heat don't have a ton of ammunition to get this deal done. Their biggest asset could be No. 13 overall pick Tyler Herro, but he can't be traded until at least one month from now.
Herro and center Bam Adebayo would likely have to be on the move in a Westbrook deal, but Riley is unwilling to part with either.
Thunder, Heat reportedly engaged in Russell Westbrook trade talks, but Miami prefers not to include two certain playershttps://t.co/WgbDIin5cb pic.twitter.com/2rVTiHRz6D
— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) July 10, 2019
Westbrook signed a supermax deal and can't be a free agent until 2023, so either he'll continue averaging a triple double while leading the Thunder to the eleventh pick in the draft or he'll force his way out of OKC to try and compete for titles.