Thunderous Intentions
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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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February 21, 2016: Cleveland Cavaliers Forward LeBron James (23) stares down Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Russell Westbrook (0) while waiting on a play to develop at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Finding a salesman

More from Thunderous Intentions

As 1st July draws closer, pitching season will start getting into a frenzy. Paul George and LeBron James will likely be the first two big names to declare their next destination, before the likes of Kawhi following suit.

For now, OKC Thunder fans can only hope for the best. If Paul George ends up leaving the Thunder, the team would be left with a heavy tax bill and a squad that’s unlikely to make it far into the playoffs.

The key to all this is Russell Westbrook. LeBron James knows he will have his suitors, especially with the likes of Chris Paul actively recruiting him. The first step to getting his attention, then, might be having Westbrook personally reach out to LeBron to pitch the idea of a super team in OKC.

From there, Presti will have to flex every bargaining muscle in his arsenal, to work out a salary cap solution.

The road to bringing the King to OKC is certainly steep. But, as the game film shows, playing with Westbrook might turn out to be a legacy-sealing win for LeBron James.

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