With Kevin Durant off to the Golden State Warriors, there are plenty of questions surrounding the Thunder. Their best player now gone, the team must focus on rebuilding what was once a title contender.
The most important question, however, relates to Russell Westbrook. The point guard is a free agent himself, next summer. With the team likely to suffer without its best player, it is not inconceivable that the guard leaves in the offseason.
As such, there has been speculation on whether or not the Thunder will trade their star to receive assets in return. But according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, speaking on The Herd, the Thunder have no plans to do so, yet. (h/t Pro Basketball Talk for the transcription)
I know this: They will not, in the short term here, be putting him out in trade talks.
The key term here is “short term.” If what Woj is saying is true, Westbrook will be in a Thunder uniform to start the season.
However, if the team struggles out of the gate, there seems to be a possibility that the Thunder would trade him at the deadline. In doing so, they could get picks or young players for a player who would potentially leave for nothing in the summer.
It’s clearly too early to really consider the possibilities. But Kevin Durant’s departure may have profound ripple effects and Russell Westbrook’s future in OKC could be part of it.
