Russell Westbrook and his agent are in discussing his future with Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti in the wake of Paul George's departure, a conversation that could lead the to 2017 MVP being traded prior to the start of next season, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Oklahoma City's All-Star guard Russell Westbrook and his agent, Thad Foucher, are engaged with Thunder GM Sam Presti about the next steps of Westbrook's career, including the possibility of a trade prior to the start of next season, league sources told ESPN.
George, a First Team All-NBA honoree in 2018-19, was dealt to the LA Clippers on Friday night in exchange for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, five future first-round picks, and two pick swaps. He signed a three-year extension with Oklahoma City last summer, opting against taking a meeting with his hometown Los Angeles Lakers in free agency.
Westbrook, 30, has four years and approximately $171 million remaining on his contract. He took a major step back last season, one that many believe marked the beginning of a potentially precipitous downward trend in performance. Always a streaky shooter, even from mid-range, Westbrook shot a dismal 31.8 percent on two-pointers outside the paint last season, and jacked up a career-high 5.6 triples per game despite hitting them at a 29.0 percent clip. Making matters more discouraging, he shot an uncharacteristic 65.6 percent from the foul line, too.
If those shooting labors prove a blip, Westbrook will have more trade value than he would otherwise. But considering ESPN reports Oklahoma City may try and move him before the regular season, Westbrook won't have time to rehabilitate his reputation even to the limited extent doing so is possible, leaving the Thunder in difficult immediate circumstances after moving on from George.
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