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Which Team Can Offer Most Value For Russell Westbrook?

By Nathan Grubel

May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the third quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the third quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the Russell Westbrook trade rumors firing up, which NBA teams can actually offer close to comparable value for the superstar?

May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the third quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the third quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

There’s a saying around all major sports that you never get equal value when trading a superstar talent.

Russell Westbrook fits that description quite well, with career averages of 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game.

One could argue there’s no other player who goes out there with the same tenacity and competitiveness each night, and his consistent production backs up that notion.

Unfortunately for the Oklahoma City Thunder, his time there could come to an end real soon according to recent rumors that the guard won’t re-sign.

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With that being said, Thunder general manager Sam Presti has always looked at how to innovate and get the most return on his assets.

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He lost

Kevin Durant

for nothing in free agency this summer, but he was able to negotiate deals for

James Harden

and

Serge Ibaka

before they were given a chance to command too much money on the open market.

He’ll certainly look to do the same with Westbrook, as he can’t afford to lose two transcendent players and four total great talents and have little to show for it.

But which teams can actually offer similar value for what Westbrook brings to the table?

To investigate, I’m taking Westbrook’s win shares number (number of estimated wins a player added to his team) of 14 from last season and seeing which team who is projected to have enough valuable assets and a need for a star or point guard has the best offer available according to the 2015-16 numbers.

Please note that any trade involving rookies who have/have not signed their initial contracts can’t officially be completed until Aug. 5.

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