There have been rumors galore regarding the Oklahoma City Thunder looking to trade superstar point guard Russell Westbrook. It makes some sense; with Kevin Durant gone and Westbrook set to hit free agency next summer, why not get some return for Westbrook if you feel that he won’t re-sign? Westbrook does not want to be traded, reports ESPN’s Royce Young. However, he also is not ready to commit to signing an extension with the Thunder:
It’s obvious to say, but the Thunder categorically don’t want to trade Westbrook. They aren’t interested in a teardown. Their priority is to convince him to stay long-term and reconfigure around him. That’s why they’ve held firm thus far outside of signing Alex Abrines; they’re paralyzed until Westbrook gives them an answer. They already have received plenty of calls about Westbrook, and thus far have told teams he’s unavailable. According to sources with knowledge of the situation, he doesn’t want to be traded. He wants to play next season with the Thunder. It’s the year after that which is in question. There’s a growing belief Westbrook will think heavily about an extension but will first weigh every angle before doing it. And with Waiters agreeing to terms with the Miami Heat, the Thunder can now officially present that extension to Westbrook.
In the same piece, Young writes that Westbrook was “angry and hurt” by Durant’s decision to leave the Thunder:
Westbrook is taking time not just to figure out his next steps, but also to lick his own wounds. Reports have come out suggesting Westbrook’s style of play influenced Durant to leave, though Durant publicly denied that in Las Vegas recently. The two have not spoken since Durant’s decision. Those close to Westbrook say he’s both angry and hurt not only by Durant’s decision to leave but also because Durant didn’t even call to tell him personally. Westbrook wasn’t prepared to be in this position — three weeks ago, like everyone else, he thought Durant was coming back. And he had to learn the hard way he wasn’t.
The bottom line here is that unless Westbrook is willing to commit to OKC, it makes absolute sense for them to explore trade options, regardless of whether or not that is what Westbrook wants.
