NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Moves That Could Save the Oklahoma City Thunder
Russell Westbrook and Five Moves that Could Save the Oklahoma City Thunder
With all of the turmoil that has gone on during this postseason for the Oklahoma City Thunder, rumors have started to circulate about possible destinations for Russell Westbrook if the team decides to move him.
Westbrook is one of the best point guards in the league, but his style is not the perfect fit for the Thunder, given how they run their offense.
The Thunder have had a very successful year, and a lot of that success has to be credited to Westbrook. While he isn’t passing to Kevin Durant as much as some people would like, thinking pass-first simply isn't his style of play.
With a shoot-first mentality and the inability to move the ball successfully, it might be wise for the Thunder to move Westbrook or bring in a veteran point guard who he can learn from.
This slideshow presents five possible solutions to the problem at the point in Oklahoma City. Enjoy!
5. Andre Miller
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While moving Russell Westbrook out of Oklahoma City would be the easiest way out, it isn't the smartest.
If the Thunder were smart, they would bring in a veteran point guard to teach Westbrook how to run a NBA offense. Don’t forget, Westbrook is only 22, and never played point guard in high school or college.
A veteran point guard like Andre Miller would be a good addition to the team, and Miller happens to be a free agent.
Miller has lasted in the NBA because he knows how to work hard and make the right decisions. Miller has bounced around the NBA, but Westbrook could learn a great deal from his deep knowledge of the point guard position.
If the Thunder want to keep Westbrook as their long-term solution at the point, they need to get him the teacher he needs to run the offense properly.
4. Tony Parker
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Even after signing him to a four-year contract extension worth $50 million, the San Antonio Spurs may be looking to move point guard Tony Parker.
The Spurs would only move Parker for a young point guard with serious upside. San Antonio would want a point guard that likes to shoot first and can carry the offense on his back, and Westbrook would be a perfect fit on a Spurs team looking to get younger in a hurry.
Westbrook would be a perfect piece to build around, and the Spurs need to get faster and younger before they lose any hope of contending in the Western Conference.
Parker would come into the Thunder organization and be an instant upgrade at point guard.
Because Parker already has the ability to come in and shoot the lights out, the offense Westbrook brought wouldn’t go missing. The main advantage Parker has over Westbrook at this point is his ability to control the floor.
With Parker in the lineup, Kevin Durant would get clean looks all over the court, and when Durant is doubled, Parker has the vision to find the open man.
3. Jrue Holiday
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One move with a lot of potential would be a trade involving the 76ers">Philadelphia 76ers and their point guard, Jrue Holiday.
While Holiday is not the same caliber of scorer as Russell Westbrook, he's definitely the better passer. On a team with serious scorers, Holiday's numbers would be even better.
The Sixers need a big-time star to be the face of their franchise moving forward, and Westbrook would be that man. The Sixers would likely be willing to move another major piece along with Holiday if the Thunder want to get serious about a trade.
I could see a potential trade that would send Russell Westbrook and another player to Philadelphia for Jrue Holiday and Andre Iguodala. It would be a major move that would see both franchises benefit from the deal.
2. Deron Williams
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While this idea might sound far-fetched, it's an appealing move for the Thunder that they would have to consider if given the opportunity.
Let’s consider for a second that Deron Williams might tell the New Jersey Nets that he doesn't want to stay with the team going forward, and he's planning to opt out of his contract.
The Nets would have to make a move to recoup some assets, or else their team would be handicapped for several seasons because of their gamble on Williams. One move the Nets might consider would be making a deal for Russell Westbrook.
It’s more a move out of necessity for the Nets, but the Thunder would get the perfect fit for their team.
Williams is a pass-first point guard that would bring the best out of the Thunder. Durant, Serge Ibaka and James Harden would all have career years with Williams at the helm.
1. Chris Paul
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While this move has been the most widely discussed, it could be the hardest to pull off.
For one, Chris Paul will be a free agent at the end of next season, so the Thunder would have to get him to agree to an extension before they pull the trigger on an actual trade.
If they can get Paul to agree to an extension, the Thunder would happily ship Westbrook to the Hornets in no time. The problem is figuring out what to do if New Orleans wants more than just Westbrook.
For the Hornets, Westbrook would be a great piece to start the rebuilding process around. To turn the franchise around though, New Orleans would need more than just Westbrook, because letting Paul go essentially puts them back at square one.
The pieces of the puzzle are there to make this trade happen, but putting it all together would be no small feat. However, if the Thunder can make it happen, they would find themselves at the top of the Western Conference for years to come.
