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Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder were hoping to keep the team together and made a few small additions in order to contend next season in a tough Western Conference. Unfortunately, everything changed when superstar forward Paul George demanded a trade and was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers to join Kawhi Leonard.
Now, Westbrook's future with the Thunder could be in question. According to a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, there is a chance that Westbrook could be next out the door in Oklahoma City.
ESPN Sources: Russell Westbrook and his agent Thad Foucher are engaged with OKC GM Sam Presti on next steps for the All-Star guard, including the possibility of trade this summer. https://t.co/S69nu8Phqd
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2019
Westbrook had another big season for the Thunder last year. He ended up averaging 22.9 points per game to go along with 11.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists. In addition to those numbers, he shot 42.8 percent from the field overall and 29.8 percent from the three-point line.
Those shooting numbers may not look good, but everyone knows what Westbrook is capable of doing.
If the Thunder do look to trade Westbrook, there are going to be teams lining up with interest in him. He can completely change the outlook of any franchise that acquires him.
All of that being said, let's take a look at three teams who should risk it all to acquire Westbrook from the Thunder.
3. Toronto Raptors
One of the most obvious possibilities would be the Raptors, who just lost Kawhi Leonard to the Los Angeles Clippers. Toronto is coming off of an NBA Finals victory, but the loss of Leonard and Danny Green is going to hurt them in a big way. Acquiring a talent like Russell Westbrook would be exactly what the doctor ordered.
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It would take a lot to get him, but the Raptors could put together a package centered around Kyle Lowry, picks, and young talent. Oklahoma City could get a lot of value from the Raptors. Westbrook would be able to team up with Pascal Siakam in an attempt to keep Toronto at the top of the East.
2. San Antonio Spurs
Next up, the Spurs could be an intriguing team to keep an eye on if Westbrook is placed on the trade block. Gregg Popovich and company have plenty of young talent and draft capital to work something out with the Thunder. Westbrook would immediately put them back into serious contention.
San Antonio has a lot of talent in LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMar DeRozan, and Dejounte Murray. They would likely have to include DeRozan in any trade for Westbrook, but they would likely be open to that option. It would certainly shake the Western Conference up even more.
1. New York Knicks
Finally, James Dolan and the Knicks had a rough offseason. They were unable to get any of their top free agency targets and ended up settling for a lot of misfit players being given another chance. New York should strongly consider making an extremely aggressive offer for Westbrook.
They can include talents like Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson, and picks. There would be a few challenges to coming to a deal with the Thunder, but it would be possible. Westbrook, along with R.J. Barrett and Julius Randle, would be able to make some noise in a wide open Eastern Conference.
