Latest Report Suggests Thunder Trading Russell Westbrook is Now Inevitable
By Will Fowler
When you think of what it means to be "loyal" in the NBA, one of the first players that comes to mind is Russell Westbrook.
The All-NBA point guard has been with the Thunder since the team's first days in Oklahoma City and has seen a lot. He watched his team trade away budding star James Harden to clear cap space. He watched his partner in crime leave the team and join the nemesis Warriors, only to win two rings there. Just the other day, he watched Durant's replacement, Paul George, request a trade and get shipped to Los Angeles.
Now, with nothing but Steven Adams and first-round picks until 3019, it seems he may be on his way out too. Previous reports suggested this, but the latest all but confirms it.
This is based upon relationships on all sides — Russell Westbrook, agent Thad Foucher and GM Sam Presti — and collaborating together and examining alternative solutions. Trade timing is challenging this late in the summer due to salaries frozen across NBA from free-agent deals. https://t.co/L0ABYFwAfH
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 8, 2019
A trade may be the best thing for Westbrook, but there's one looming reason why it will be difficult to move the star.
When an NBA free agent signs, he can't be traded until six months after he puts pen to paper. That means anyone who signed this summer can't be moved until December. Because of team salaries being "frozen," it will he hard to find a team with enough movable cap space to acquire the star until then.
OKC is “receptive toward trade calls” on Russell Westbrook, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/6zKjCWbG8I
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 8, 2019
There are some potential suitors, with Miami and Orlando to name two. While it's possible, it's not entirely likely, so expect to see Westbrook dealt midseason rather than this summer.