NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Russell Westbrook, Nick Young
The Oklahoma City Thunder are hurting.
They lost more than Kevin Durant when the seven-time All-Star announced through the Players’ Tribune on Monday that he will be joining the Golden State Warriors. OKC lost all hope of winning a title. It lost its soul.
Now, the Thunder could lose their heart, too.
It's possible that KD’s departure has set the stage for Russell Westbrook to bolt as well.
Let’s talk about that rumor—as well as a rumbling about Nick Young—below.
Russell Westbrook
Here, Thunder fans—wipe your tears with this report from ESPN.com’s Brian Windhorst, who said league executives believe OKC will think about “fielding trade offers” for the star point guard if he chooses not to sign an extension.
Oh, sorry. Is that making you cry more?
Try this from Turner Sports analyst David Aldridge:
More waterworks. You poor fanbase.
Before we all but ship Westbrook to another team, though, let’s take a deep breath. According to Windhorst, Thunder general manager Sam Presti is planning on taking things slow. It’s hard to think, let alone operate a franchise, after receiving such a blow.
Furthermore, why would Westbrook sign an extension? He’s a free agent next summer, and surely you’ve seen how much money teams have been throwing around on the open market.
Timofey Mozgov reportedly got $64 million over four years from the Los Angeles Lakers, per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. The Portland Trail Blazers gave Evan Turner a reported $70 million over the same time period, per Wojnarowski.
Next summer, the cap will go up from its mark of $94.1 million, meaning there will be even more cash flying around.
Westbrook isn’t missing out on that.
Still, how could Presti watch Durant and Westbrook leave…for nothing?
Perhaps the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers or New York Knicks will offer a treasure chest in exchange for Westbrook. Then, OKC would have no choice.
It’s a story to keep an eye on, but not one to freak out about...yet.
Westbrook’s lack of interest in a renegotiated deal could very well be based on finances. He could also be setting himself up for a change of scenery.
Luckily for us, we don’t have to make the call. Presti does.
Nick Young
Nick Young has had a rough summer.
For starters, he split with his ex-fiancee, rapper Iggy Azalea, in late June, per TMZ Sports.
This came weeks after controversy overshadowed the Los Angeles Lakers’ final games of the 2015-16 season when video emerged of Swaggy P apparently saying that he cheated on Azalea while rookie teammate D’Angelo Russell was secretly recording him.
Then, on Friday, Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times reported that the Lakers are likely to trade or waive Young before training camp.
The 31-year-old forward is scheduled to make $5.4 million next season and $5.7 million in 2017-18, per Spotrac.
Since Young averaged 17.9 points on 43.5 percent shooting in 2013-14, his numbers have steadily declined for L.A. He put up 13.4 points while shooting 36.6 percent in 2014-15 and then tallied just 7.3 points on 33.9 percent shooting in 2015-16.
It’s unclear what the market will be for Swaggy. He’s capable of serving as a spot-up shooter for a contender, but not more than that. At this point, he’s unfit for a featured role that includes anything but taking open three-pointers.
Making matters worse, Young narrowly avoided disaster on the Fourth of July.
Per TMZ Sports, he picked up a “lit artillery shell,” and the firework exploded in his hand. Had Swaggy been injured—like New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul was last year—his career would’ve likely ended.
So, while he’s still physically OK to play, picking up a firework doesn’t scream “I can help you” to potential suitors.
Young will probably play somewhere next season. It’s simply uncertain where—and if he’ll have a role to speak of beyond the bench.
