Russell Westbrook: The Future Superstar of the Minnesota Timberwolves

The Oklahoma City Thunder have two of the youngest superstars in the NBA in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. It is pretty scary to think that they have made it to the Western Conference Finals, and neither of them look to have hit their prime. It would be crazy to think that these two will play together for a long time. 

After watching these two play together this season and in the playoffs, I believe they will eventually not be able to play together. Everybody knows that Kevin Durant is the No. 1option for the Thunder. However, Russell Westbrook has the talent and the game to be the guy on another team.

This may seem ridiculous to think about this now, but I feel this will eventually become a problem within a few years.With these two not being able to coexist, one will have to be moved. It would take a lot to take a young all-star that is still going to get better from the Thunder.

This is where the Timberwolves come in.

The worst team in the NBA is in desperate need to find a No. 1 scorer. This could be a match made in heaven for both teams, but it is going to be tricky.

All signs point that Ricky Rubio is going to be playing for Minnesota next season. He becomes the starting point guard immediately and will become the floor general. Playing Russell Westbrook at the shooting guard would be a lot more natural for him especially when he becomes the franchise player.

Now, you are probably going to ask, how on earth is he going to Minnesota?

Like I said, this is going to be tricky. It is going to take a huge package to bring him to the land of 10,000 lakes.

Piece No. 1: The First Overall Pick

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 24: Kyrie Irving #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on against the Arizona Wildcats during the west regional semifinal of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 24, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by

The first piece of the package is this year's first overall pick.

The Timberwolves have the best chance to land the coveted spot. This is essentially the make-or-break of the deal. The Thunder would use the first overall pick to draft Kyrie Irving. He has the potential to become the next Chris Paul. He would be able to defer to Kevin Durant as well as make his other teammates better. He is also very capable of becoming a 20-oint scorer as well.

Piece No. 2: The 20th Overall Pick

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TULSA, OK - MARCH 20: Jordan Hamilton #3 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates after a play against the Arizona Wildcats during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at BOK Center on March 20, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Tom Pe

The second piece of the package would be their other first-round pick.

With the 20th overall pick, they could find a solid role player like Texas forward Jordan Hamilton or Tyler Honeycutt from UCLA. Both would be a solid addition to the Thunder's roster. 

Piece No. 3: Wesley Johnson

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PHOENIX - DECEMBER 15: Wesley Johnson #4 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket over Grant Hill #13 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on December 15, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 128-

The third piece they send is Wesley Johnson.

It is essential that the Wolves also offer intriguing prospects in addition to two first-round picks. This will allow James Harden to become the starter and Wesley Johnson to become the spark off the bench. He will become a completely different player whenever he gets a chance to play alongside a superstar.

Piece No. 4: Jonny Flynn

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 14: Jonny Flynn #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on December 14, 2010 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading a

The fourth and final piece of this trade is Jonny Flynn.

With Kyrie Irving now the starter and since they have a quality backup in Eric Maynor, he would probably be sent to another team for a post player from a third team.

Trade Recap

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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 05: Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Kurt Rambis looks on from the bench against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center on March 5, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo

Minnesota Receives:

Russell Westbrook, Thabo Sefolosha

Oklahoma Receives:

Kyrie Irving (first overall pick), Jordan Hamilton (20th overall pick), Wesley Johnson, Jonny Flynn

How Each Team Looks

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MIAMI, FL - MARCH 16: Kevin Durant #35 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate after a 3 pointer during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on March 16, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ack

Starting lineup and backups for the Thunder...

PG: Kyrie Irving (Eric Maynor)

SG: James Harden (Wesley Johnson)

SF: Kevin Durant (Jordan Hamilton)

PF: Serge Ibaka (Nick Collison)

C: Kendrick Perkins (Nazr Muhammed)

Starting lineup and backups for the Timberwolves...

PG: Ricky Rubio (Luke Ridnour)

SG: Russell Westbrook (Wayne Ellington)

SF: Michael Beasley (Thabo Sefolosha)

PF: Kevin Love (Anthony Randolph)

C: Darko Milicic (Nikola Pekovic)

How the Timberwolves Move Forward with Westbook

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 07: Ricky Rubio #9 of the Regal FC Barcelona in action during the NBA Europe Live match between Los Angeles Lakers and Regal FC Barcelona at the at Palau Blaugrana on October 7, 2010 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/

Nobody wants to come to Minnesota because they are not relevant and do not have a superstar.

Bringing in Russell Westbrook will be able to help the organization attract other players to come play in Minnesota. The Wolves have the money too to go after a few players. They could offer a large contract to Marc Gasol of the Grizzlies to become the starting center. In addition, they could also go after Westbrook's former teammate Jeff Green who would be able to play his natural position at the small forward position. These two additions could shoot us straight into the playoffs.

PLAYOFFS!?!?!?!? Yes, I said playoffs. Anyone with me?

I truly do think this tandem cannot last. Westbrook wants/needs to be the No. 1 guy. I think it is better to take care of this future problem sooner rather than later a la Kobe Bryant and Shaq.