This year's free agency may be drying up now, but from what we've seen the past couple of days, anything and everything can happen. This is the reason why it has also dominated social media these days. However, there is already some anticipation for next year's sweepstakes as some of the biggest names in the league will be part of it.
Among the big names set to be free agents next summer are Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Gordon Hayward and Giannis Antetoukounmpo, plus others who have player options on their contracts and may look for new opportunities. Just knowing these stars will be up for grabs is already stressful and exciting for most, if not all teams' top brass.
Among them, Westbrook stands out from the rest. He may arguably be the most athletic among the 2017 field and he has consistently performed well for the Oklahoma City Thunder and should be credited for the team's recent success. He is also considered one of the NBA's fiercest competitors and surely he will get a lot of interest from different teams.
He may be a 2-time all-star game MVP and led the league last season in triple doubles but it has not translated to any championships. He has been to the finals once in 2012 but lost to the LeBron James led Miami Heat. Last season, the Thunder blew a 3-1 series lead to the Golden State Warriors to leave them a win short of facing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the finals.
Now that his partner-in-crime, Kevin Durant has moved to Oakland to chase that elusive ring, Westbrook is on his own and the task to get to the promised land has become even tougher. Now all signs point to him leaving OKC after this coming season, This is what an NBA executive also thinks, as per the Boston Herald.
According to the un-named source: “He’s gone after this year. A hundred percent. I think that’s the case no matter what. I guess people can always change their mind, but I think this season was going to be it for him there no matter what.”
The defeat to the Warriors may still have left a bitter taste to the 5 time all-star especially because he had one of his best seasons, including the playoffs, in 2015-2016. He appeared in 80 games and posted averages of 23.5 points, 10.4 assists and 7.8 rebounds and had a total of 18 triple doubles.
Nobody knows what the future holds for Westbrook. But one thing's for sure, there will be no shortage of suitors for Westbrook and they will all do their best to get his services. He will be a cornerstone for any franchise dreaming of immediate success.
[button width=”full” button size=”bigger” color=”custom” align=”center” textcolor=”#ffffff” texthcolor=”#ffffff” bgcolor=”#8b0000″ link=”https://clutchpoints.com/kevin-durant-says-that-westbrook-respected-his-decision-to-leave/”]NEXT: Kevin Durant says that Westbrook “respected his decision to leave”[/button]
Follow Us
Subscribe