Russell Westbrook prefers to Heat things up – 3 trade options that work for both sides

Jimmy Butler, Russell Westbrook, OKC Thunder (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Jimmy Butler, Russell Westbrook, OKC Thunder (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder, NBA Power Rankings week 22
Goran Dragic, OKC Thunder, NBA Power Rankings week 22 (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Trade option two:

Another plausible trade would feature Dragic, Herro and James Johnson who has two years left on his contract earning $15.3M this season and $16M in 2020-21 with a player option in the final year.

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Image and video hosting by TinyPic /

In this scenario, the dollar to dollar value is almost identical but it’s likely the Thunder would request additional value from one of the Heat’s draft picks although it would mean waiting until at least 2025 since OKC already own the Heat’s 2021 and 2023 (top 14 protected) picks.

Again, on his expiring deal, Dragic could be moved at the trade deadline. Plus, let’s not forget there may also be an active audience to entertain picking up Danilo Gallinari, Dennis Schroder or Andre Roberson to bolster playoff squads with specific tools and all of whom could significantly decrease the Thunder salary sheet.