Why trading Russell Westbrook is the Thunder’s best move
By Rich Condon
What the future would look like without Russ
The Celtics just happen to have the rights to two UNPROTECTED first round picks from a team that is currently 7-21. It’s like the stars have lined up for this trade to happen.
By resetting now, the Thunder will bypass the all but guaranteed Finals fight between Golden State and Cleveland for the next few years, allowing them to focus solely on the future of the franchise.
I know the logical counterpoint, and it makes sense: these draft picks aren’t sure things, and there’s an almost equal chance that the players turn out to be busts as there is they become studs. Like Jules Winnfield, played by the immortal Samuel L. Jackson, in Pulp Fiction, said ” Oh, you were finished? Allow me to retort.”
Remember what happens when Sam Presti gets top five picks? Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden. That’s what happens.
Since 2007, he’s also selected Serge Ibaka, Reggie Jackson, Eric Bledsoe, Steven Adams and Cameron Payne in the first round. His misses? Perry Jones III, Mitch McGary and Josh Huestis. That’s okay considering all were picked in the 21-30 range. Presti doesn’t miss on lottery picks, and he’d have TWO (assuming the Thunder don’t make the playoffs this season) in an absolutely loaded class.
Bottom line: when it comes to drafting, Sam Presti is as good as they come. Give Presti a minimum four high lottery selections the next two years and it doesn’t seem like much of a risk, now does it?
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Ask yourself this. Which sounds more attractive: the idea of potential greatness over a decade plus with a core of Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac (or Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum, Lauri Makkanen, Josh Jackson, OG Anunoby, Dennis Smith Jr, Harry Giles). Whoever Presti decides is worthy of donning a Thunder jersey will become the next generation of Thunder greats.
Or would you rather see Russ toil away in Herculean effort after Herculean effort to come up short every year?
Yes, it’s a steep price for the C’s, but if rumors are true, Ainge was willing to trade four future first round picks to the Hornets the night of the 2015 draft for what turned out to be Frank Kaminsky. The C’s need a superstar, and with absolutely no disrespect to All-Star Isaiah Thomas, Russell Westbrook is the missing piece for Boston.
Even if Russ is traded to Boston, he’s still a guy Thunder Fans can root for: he stayed, and the only reason he left is to make us better for the long haul. Seeing him compete for a Finals in Boston would be slightly painful, but it’s kind of like us winning by extension? Maybe?