Welcome to Thunderous Thoughts: A weekly look at the OKC Thunder where the main story ranges from logical to emotional. This week there’s a little of both.
One day after being eliminated from the NBA Playoffs, chances are Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook is already asking Sam Presti, “what’s next?”
That was an easy question for Presti to answer last year. He got Westbrook to sign a short term extension and stabilize the franchise in the wake of Kevin Durant’s departure. He knew he had a rebuilding project on his hands, but that he had a trustworthy foreman to oversee the project. Presti put together a team that didn’t fit, but worked thanks to the tireless effort of Westbrook.
This year, the question seems tougher. It all starts with Westbrook and his desire to stay. He has one year left (and a player option) on his current deal. However, he could sign a contract on steroids this offseason – a five year deal worth roughly $220 million – and commit long term. Not signing the super max deal would cast a bit of uncertainty on the future, leading to those dreaded Westbrook trade rumors popping back up.
Oddly enough, Westbrook not signing the deal gives Presti a clear direction: trade the superstar and enter a full blown rebuild.
Keeping Westbrook means choices have to be made.
Presti has always preached patience and building. He covets lottery picks on controllable contracts. Like everyone else in the world, Presti wants to remain young. But staying young and banking on development or re-development isn’t conducive with Westbrook’s timeline.
Russell is 28-years-old. He’s an athletic freak entering what should be the prime of his career. That athleticism won’t last forever, especially at the pace he plays. Presti can’t afford to waste two or three seasons of peak Westbrook in hopes that Victor Oladipo and Steven Adams develop into stars.
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Immediately arming Westbrook with another star seems like the obvious choice, but the path to get there is an obstacle course. Sacrifices would have to be made. That likely means trading Enes Kanter. It potentially means letting Taj Gibson or Andre Roberson walk. It could also mean trading Adams or Oladipo. And even then, there’s no guarantee that Westbrook and another star would work. “It didn’t work with Durant, why would it work with an inferior player?”
This offseason is going to tell us a lot about Presti. Can he change his entire philosophy in order to maximize what he currently has? Getting younger and developing those guys was easier when you had two of the five best players in the league. One star is gone. The one that remains has a winning passion like no other, but plays at an unsustainable pace that doesn’t allow him to win on his own.
Presti has always known what to do “next.” But “next” is not guaranteed. This offseason, Presti needs to figure out “what now?”
Other Thunder Thoughts
*If I were a betting man, I’d put all my money on Kanter being traded at the draft. Presti always tries to make a splash at the draft. Kanter is unplayable against three of the four teams you’re chasing. I’ll miss his personality, but I won’t miss his defense or his forced offense.
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*I would also bet on Roberson staying. The playoffs show just how valuable he is to the team. He was by far the second best player on the team against the Rockets and he was the only non-Westbrook player I trusted in the series. He has his limitations, but his one-on-one defense and ability to cut and slash on offense is invaluable.
*I hope Gibson stays. His personality and style fits with the team. No one has ever said a bad thing about him as a teammate. He brings an energy and skill set that is much needed. With an entire offseason to work with Westbrook and the OKC Thunder coaching staff, I could see Gibson being a valuable asset next year.
*Presti’s toughest task might be getting out of that Kyle Singler contract.