Thunderous Intentions
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The Oklahoma City Thunder and Russell Westbrooks future

By Joshua Lea

Mar 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) is congratulated by Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Oklahoma City Thunder defeats the Orlando Magic 114-106 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) is congratulated by Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Oklahoma City Thunder defeats the Orlando Magic 114-106 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Russell Westbrook
Apr 4, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; OKC Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts as it announced that he has tied the season triple double record in action against the Milwaukee Bucks at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The OKC Thunder are in the process of answering multiple questions surrounding the future of the franchise. Speculation around Russell Westbrook’s future has already begun with the media.

The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the offseason earlier than normal this season. However, the dynamics of this season will be remembered for years to come. We all know the story of Kevin Durant’s departure to Golden State and Russell Westbrook’s historic MVP season. So, it’s only natural that the Thunder continue to build and charge towards the NBA Finals, right?

In order to do that a couple things are going to have to happen. The Thunder are going to have to make some trades and shift some money to tweak what is already a promising roster. Sure, they lost in the first round last year. However, the building foundation is being laid for what could be an elite Western Conference team.

The first order of business will be to resign Andre Roberson and/or Taj Gibson. The reason I say this is due to the luxury tax. If the Thunder signs either player, they’ll go over the tax for the next two season at least. The idea of trading Enes Kanter and Kyle Singler has floated around the Thunder fans since last season. However, Kanter provides more than just scoring.

Kanter brings a team-first mentality – his loyalty to Westbrook and the team is something that is valued within the Thunder franchise. Also, we have to consider the timing of a possible Kanter trade would look bad from a PR point due to his current situation with his homeland of Turkey.

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Next season Westbrook, Victor Oladipo and Steven Adams are set to make over $20 million. However, Oladipo and Adams struggled during the playoffs. In order for the Thunder to have success, those two are going to have to set up in a big way next season. Assuming the Thunder don’t make any drastic moves this offseason, they’ll have the current roster mainly intact next season.

Westbrook has a player option at the end of next season. Here we go again, right? The feeling around OKC is Westbrook is here to stay. Oklahoma City couldn’t possibly deal with a second NBA superstar bolting for a championship ring. Furthermore, Thunder fans were confident that Durant would stay and we all know how that worked out.

On July 1st, the NBA free agency frenzy will begin. Players will change teams left and right like a pick-up game at the YMCA. The Thunder’s number one priority will be to put a championship team around Westbrook in hopes of him signing a max deal. The good news for OKC is that Westbrook seems to be at home in Oklahoma City. The idea of him leaving OKC just doesn’t seem possible at this point.

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