In a HUGE turn of events early this morning the biggest dominoes in the NBA fell and fell hard. What do I mean? Let's look at how all of this affects the Oklahoma City Thunder. In this blog we will now look at the saga this now creates in the Thunder organization.
1) Russell Westbrook will now be looking for a new home. You don't believe me let's look at how this whole rebuilding thing has affected him over the last 3 years. First you let Kevin Durant walk in free agency and basically for a season you just have the Westbrook game. Then the next year you go out and sign Paul George to a 4 year deal and two years into it he wants to jump ship so that he can play with his boy toy Kawhi Leonard. All of this, the Thunder organization are claiming they are still rebuilding. If this is honestly the truth Westbrook will want out. The haul that you got for Paul George you can get that and more for Westbrook. As much as I hate to say it: it's now time for the Thunder to cut ties with Westbrook and really truly start to rebuild. You got 2 pretty young players and 7
future round picks if you truly are trying to rebuild then you should let what some players think is the most arrogant player in the game go.
2) Let's look at the exact haul that the Thunder got in the trade for Paul George and evaluate how this affects Russell Westbrook. In exchange for Paul George the OKC Thunder got an impressive: Four unprotected first round picks, one protected first round pick, two pick swaps, Danilo Gallinari and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Do you see that? That is the Thunder getting 9 for the price of one! Now tell me you can't or won't put Russell on the block and try to get the same type of haul. I really and honestly think that if the Thunder play their cards right and put him on the block you could possibly get the same or more for Westbrook.
3) Lastly, could there be a reason this continues to happen to Westbrook? Many reports when Durant left was that he and Westbrook just could not play well together. Now it sounds like the same was true with Paul George. If this is really the truth and it is very possible Westbrook seems to be the problem and if that is the case he needs to go. If I am Sam Presti and claim I am in a full out rebuild I put him on the block and hope someone bites. I have been a huge supporter and fan of Westbrook for years however there is an UGLY reality to what could be happening. Is he Kobe Bryant? ME ME ME I I I...if that is the case he may need a change of scenery. You see this so much in sports not only in basketball where one player thinks that they are THE GOD of that team. Steph Curry is one of those players, Kobe was one of those players, and the list goes on.
Concluding all of this I really do think this should be a rude awakening to the OKC Thunder. If you really want to rebuild you might as well do it right and just trade Westbrook while the picking is good. As much as I like Westbrook and the Thunder I honestly think this would be the best outcome for both parties involved. What are your thoughts? Should the Thunder trade Westbrook? If so, to whom and for what?