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OKC Thunder: How the LeBron James – Russell Westbrook experiment could work

By Gideon Lim

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 13: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder defends LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game on February 13, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 13: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder defends LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game on February 13, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder LeBron James, Russell Westbrook
January 25 2015: Cleveland Cavaliers Forward LeBron James (23) posts up Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland Ohio. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Understanding the King’s ransom

LeBron has two primary choices – either convincing PG13 and Kawhi to team up with him in LA, or joining James Harden and Chris Paul in Houston.

The thing about LeBron’s situation is that as much as he’s the poster boy for player empowerment, he actually has so little room for error.

First of all, LeBron needs to find a place that he knows he can contend immediately.  Even though LeBron continues to confound traditional medical expectations, he knows he can’t afford to wait for the Warriors to implode. He needs a squad that is neither dependent on rising stars (Sixers) nor in possession of only one other perennial All-Star (Celtics).

Second, LeBron James needs a squad that can conceivably contend for the next few years. The backlash Durant experienced serves as a stern warning that overt “star chasing” will not go down well for his legacy. Therefore he needs a team with at least two ready-made All-Stars, with playoff experience who are hungry for rings.

These criteria leave Houston and the Lakers as the King’s two clear-cut options. But it also gives the OKC Thunder an outside chance of sneaking into the conversation. In Westbrook and potentially Paul George, Lebron has two undeniable stars in their prime. And, in Sam Presti, LeBron gets a proactive and dependable front office to work with.

It’s not enough to vault OKC into being a front runner. But it should at least buy a listening ear from James.

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Making the mathematics work

This is the hard part for Sam Presti. The OKC Thunder are hard capped, and the ball is not in their court. In order to give James the max salary he is looking for, two things need to happen.

First, they need the Cavs to agree to a sign-and-trade. In exchange for LeBron’s roughly $40 million salary, the Thunder will need to send back Steven Adams, and at least two out of Alex Abrines, Andre Roberson and Patrick Patterson.

Next, OKC needs Melo to opt out and sign something close to a minimum salary deal. Any prospect of LeBron coming to OKC hinges on both PG and Westbrook being in the fold. Given that Paul George is reportedly eyeing a one-plus-one max deal, Melo might end up being forced to a take a pay cut.

Both of these prospects might seem unlikely at first. But, given that the Cavs are reportedly planning to hang on to Kevin Love even if James leaves, Cleveland might see Adams as a worthy option towards remaining relevant. And, Melo might be more malleable than people imagine. Coming to small-market Oklahoma was the first hint of Melo’s commitment to winning. The idea of teaming up with his buddy could be the final sweetener to seal the deal.

So, there is a viable way OKC could emerge triumphant from the Decision 3.0. But, for that to happen, Billy Donovan will have to do some homework.

Editor’s Note: rumors Friday indicate Anthony plans to opt in which means some nifty Thunder bookkeeping would need to occur. Or trading Melo either via a 3-team deal or swapping him with the Cavs for James. Basically, this is complicated, but that’s why the guys in management earn their money to come up with solutions to these trade scenarios.

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