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Russell Westbrook trade arguably greatest gift he ever gave OKC Thunder

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKC Thunder: Chris Paul #3 and Russell Westbrook #0 attend a game (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKC Thunder: Chris Paul #3 and Russell Westbrook #0 attend a game (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Russell Westbrook trade delivered copious draft gifts:

The 2021 and 2025 draft swaps as teams have proven can also net major advantages. Consider the potential these swaps allow —- for example, the Thunder could play all out to get a top seed and if the Rockets stumble at all in those seasons the Thunder could effectively end up with a lottery pick and a home court seed. That’s is how valuable those picks and swaps are.

Moreover, as teams like the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors are proving, solid scouting can produce massive effects on building depth and talent. Fred VanVleet, Chris Boucher and Oshae Brissett are all playing valuable minutes for the Raptors and NOT ONE was drafted. Norman Powell was the 46th pick and Pascal Siakam was the 27th pick.

Miami is using the trio of Tyler Herro (drafted 13th) Kendrick Nunn (undrafted) and Duncan Robinson (undrafted) to great effect this season with them arguably being the most valuable players behind Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.

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