Waiting On Westbrook’s decision might be OKC’s best move
By Ali Ahmed
Trading Russell Westbrook after losing KD for nothing seems like the obvious move for Sam Presti- but what if it isn’t?
The Oklahoma City Thunder have long boasted continuity and consistency in their roster, seeing them as one of the league’s most quiet teams during the offseason. However, in the NBA’s current landscape, all of that can easily change in a blink of an eye.
When Kevin Durant announced his decision to leave the Thunder and join the Golden State Warriors, Sam Presti and his team found themselves in unfamiliar territory. Not only did they lose their best player in franchise history, but the organization also saw the exit of two core players in one offseason.
The frenzy did not end there, though.
Within hours of Durant’s announcement, the spotlight shifted towards Russell Westbrook and whether or not he’d last long enough to be on the Thunder’s opening night roster. Why would he stay? What can the Thunder offer next July now that Durant is gone? These questions only fueled the rampant speculation, but one thing was forgotten amid all the rumblings – Russell Westbrook hasn’t said a THING. No media comments, agent quotes, or weird Instagram posts. Absolutely nothing.
From what it looks like, Presti has the utmost confidence that Westbrook will take on the challenge of leading this young Thunder team.
“Well, as I said before, Russell Westbrook is a force of nature. He is a true leader in the sense that he takes it on. He takes it on, and I think he’ll take this on, as well. He has helped establish the standards that we work by, as have Kevin and the other players that have come before us,” Presti responded after being asked about Westbrook’s new role. “But this is a different situation, and I know that Russell will adjust and adapt to that.”
With the likes of Boston, LA, and the Spurs trying to woo Presti into making a deal, are the Thunder better off standing pat? Here are some positive scenarios that could arise from choosing this route.
Russell Westbrook agrees to a re-negotiated extension.
With the collective bargaining agreement allowing teams to renegotiate and extend players under four or five year contracts using their current cap space, Westbrook may be eligible to receive a pay bump up to the $26.5 million max. This would also allow for him to rejoin the free agency class in 2018 where the NBA is expected to ‘make it rain’ again, allowing for Westbrook to quite possible earn himself one of the league’s first few $200 million contracts.
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The question is, , would Westbrook be willing to stay on for one more year?
So far, nothing has come out of his camp regarding his willlingess or unwillingness to agree to such a deal, but various sources have reported that he would probably exercise his right to unrestricted free agency next summer.
One thing is for sure, no one on the planet knows what goes on in Westbrook’s head and he could very well fall in love with this young and talented roster waiting to be led by him.
Thunder enter next summer’s free agency with max cap space and potentially Russ on board.
This one sort of goes hand in hand with the previous scenario. If Westbrook were to renegotiate and extend his contract, the Thunder find themselves in la-la land in terms of the hellish road they were destined to travel if they had to trade him. Presti would have a competitive, playoff bound team next season and the resources to add another max player next July.
What if Westbrook declines the extension?
The Thunder would still enter next July with significant cap space and the opportunity to bring back Russ AND have him recruit another star free agent. Gordon Hayward, Kyle Lowry, Blake Griffin and Paul Millsap all hit the market next summer.
With Griffin, an Oklahoma native, being heavily linked to the Thunder recently, could this be the coup Presti meticulously planned in the event Durant bolted?
Westbrook keeps us all on our heels during the season and resigns next July on a 5-year max contract.
Maybe Durant leaving has lit a fire under Russ? Maybe he’s made it his lifelong goal to prove to KD that he can bring a title to OKC with or without him?
Next: The Fascinating Unknown of the OKC Thunder
The Thunder waiting out the season and gambling on an 8 year relationship might seem maniacal seeing as though it did not stop Durant from leaving, but Westbrook reportedly being pissed off at KD’s decision might bode well for those thinking he’d bolt for another super team.