Russell Westbrook Reportedly Angry, Hurt by Kevin Durant Leaving Thunder

Nearly a month has elapsed since Kevin Durant announced he was bolting for the Golden State Warriors, but Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook is reportedly still stewing over the former MVP's decision.

According to ESPN.com's Royce Young, Westbrook is displeased with the terms on which Durant left OKC: 

"

The two have not spoken since Durant's decision. Those close to Westbrook say he's both angry and hurt not only by Durant's decision to leave but also because Durant didn't even call to tell him personally. Westbrook wasn't prepared to be in this position—three weeks ago, like everyone else, he thought Durant was coming back. And he had to learn the hard way he wasn't.

"

Young added that Westbrook and Thunder staple Nick Collison pitched Durant at a dinner in Los Angeles before he left to sit down with teams in the Hamptons, but the persuasive tactics ultimately couldn't seal the deal for a return. 

But now that Durant has departed for the defending Western Conference champions, Westbrook is faced with a decision that will alter not only his future but also the Thunder's. 

The superstar floor general is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2017, but Young reported that he plans to keep the Thunder in the loop regarding his plans so they can plan for life with or without him. 

"Westbrook has been forced into his free agency a year earlier than expected," Young wrote. "Effectively, he's making his 2017 decision now. He's either in with the Thunder, or he tells them he's not, and they trade him."

Citing sources, Young added that Westbrook "doesn't want to be traded" and that "he wants to play next season with the Thunder." Furthermore, Young noted that "the Thunder categorically don't want to trade Westbrook. They aren't interested in a teardown. Their priority is to convince him to stay long term and reconfigure around him."

In that vein, Young reported that the Thunder's preference is to strike a renegotiated max-contract extension with Westbrook—a la the one James Harden recently signed with the Houston Rockets—after Dion Waiters signed with the Miami Heat and opened up the requisite cap space to make such a move possible. 

"There's a growing belief Westbrook will think heavily about an extension but will first weigh every angle before doing it," Young wrote. 

General manager Sam Presti's track record indicates he's not shy when it comes to trading lucrative assets ahead of schedule—see: Harden and Serge Ibaka—but doing so doesn't appear to be in the Thunder's plans just yet. 

And with Westbrook now the unquestioned leader of the show in Oklahoma City, giving him some time to experience life as the team's No. 1 alpha dog could be beneficial for both sides.