The massive failure of a quick exit in the first round against the Utah Jazz has brought major questions for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who will be forced to ponder who to keep, and who to let go of by the time the offseason kicks into gear.
While a Paul George move seems imminent, whether it's opting out this season or leaving as a free agent in the next — some executives have hinted that in order for OKC to progress, they must kill the root of their problem — suggesting potentially trading franchise cornerstone Russell Westbrook.
via ESPN's Zach Lowe:
“There's an increasing number of people around the league who think the Thunder should look at trading [Russell] Westbrook. To be clear, not a report. Not Thunder sources think they should do this. Just in spitballing ideas with teams around the league, there's a number of people who have heard, just like, ‘It's time for something to change here.'”
Westbrook is fresh off signing a five-year, $205 million max extension, making everyone in Oklahoma City wait until Kevin Durant's birthday to finally put pen to paper.
As a reigning MVP and one of the most exciting talents in the league, Westbrook could get plenty of offers, but hi reputation for playing hero ball is one teams have grown aware of over the years, making this a harder proposition to pull off.
Forced between the sword and the wall, at the brink of elimination — Westbrook responded the only way he knows how — putting up 39 and 43 attempts from the field (five and nine more than in any of his regular season games), but failing to reach 44 percent shooting in any of his six playoff games.
An inconsistent shooter that makes reckless decisions and plays without a conscience has become the end tale for this Thunder team in now several postseasons, and trading him might be the only way to rid the city of this disease.
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