Hey everybody!
I’ve been keeping track of all of the rumors and proposed trades the internet has thought up for our beloved Russell Westbrook. Here’s a bunch of for fun potential trades.
1. My favorite scenario, from one of my favorite Thunder podcasters, Andrew Schlecht.
Oklahoma City gets: Justise Winslow and Tyler Herro from Miami (and I would assume draft assets)
Dallas gets: Goran Dragic from Miami
Miami gets: Russell Westbrook
This brings back young talent for OKC, sheds the $170 million dollars they owe Russ, and is a “win now” move for both Miami and Dallas. Miami is always looking for star power, and Dallas gets a third major contributor to pair with Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.
2. A potential “throw-up-in-mouth” scenario, but we can hope for the best. May the trade machine save us all.
Minnesota gets: Russell Westbrook
Oklahoma City gets: Worst case scenario: Andrew Wiggins + one of Josh Okogie or Jarrett Culver. Best case scenario: the Wolves are able to shed the contract of Wiggins via a 3rd team, and OKC ends up with both young players + cap filler (most likely Jeff Teague).
I think Minnesota does this trade. They could accomplish two things: get rid of Andrew Wiggins, and pair up a legitimate star with the face of their franchise, Karl Anthony Towns. I love the idea of Texas Tech star Jarret Culver ending up on this team to pair with Shai, and Josh Okogie showed some real flashes of excellence last season as a 3-and-D wing.
3. Russell Westbrook and Blake Griffin are sad together in Detroit.
Detroit gets: Russell Westbrook
Oklahoma City gets: Andre Drummond and Tony Snell + draft assets.
Look, no one would feel good about this trade. Detroit is in a rough spot and fans don’t really show up to their games, even with Blake Griffin. Why the hell not try and add another star and sacrifice your future by sending OKC an absorbent amount of draft picks? For OKC, this gives you two near-expiring contracts and more draft picks. This also assumes that you’re moving on from Steven Adams considering he and Andre Drummond play the same position. God help us all if this happens.
4. Last one! Let the KD v. Russ war continue forever!
New York gets: Russell Westbrook
Oklahoma City gets: RJ Barret, Kevin Knox, and necessary cap filler after NY free agents are eligible for trade, + draft assets. (Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis)
I would like to start by saying this will not happen. New York just came out and said they are going through with their youth movement after completely botching free agency. They have to stick by their young guys and build legitimately. Russ in New York would be great though, and New York would immediately love him more than Kevin Durant in Brooklyn solely on the reputation of the Knicks franchise. Is it worth sending Russ to basketball purgatory if only to watch him torment Kevin Durant for the next 4 years? Probably. Also RJ Barret and Kevin Knox are…something?
JDHoops 