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Oklahoma City Thunder: Pairing With Russell Westbrook With Blake Griffin

By Deasia Paige

December 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) scores a basket against Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) scores a basket against Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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With Durant gone, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s next moves should be focused on keeping Russell Westbroo. Adding Blake Griffi to the roster might be the right step.

On Monday, it was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical that the Oklahoma City Thunder rescinded their qualifying offer to Dion Waiters. The move will not only make the guard an unrestricted free agent, but secure cap space for the team.

That protected cap space is needed to persuade Russell Westbrook to re-negotiate his contract through the 2017-18 season and beyond. Additionally, the cap space may ensure their goal of luring Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers to pair with Westbrook.

Since the departure of Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors, there has been much speculation about the likelihood of Westbrook staying when he becomes a free agent next season.

Many reports have concluded the Los Angeles Lakers will be a top destination for the guard because they’re in his hometown, while others have argued that Westbrook would succeed elsewhere. Nevertheless, Westbrook staying with the Thunder currently seems unlikely.

However, planning the addition of Blake Griffin might change that. Last season, Griffin averaged an impressive 21.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game despite only playing less than half of the season due to injuries and a suspension.

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    • The five-time NBA All-Star has proved himself to be a strong force around the rim. The prospect of acquiring a player like Griffin who can fill the void of Serge Ibaka (who was recently traded to the Orlando Magic) would undoubtedly be appealing enough for Westbrook to stay.

    The Thunder might just be the best free destination for the power forward next summer (Griffin can opt out of the final year of his contract with the Clippers in 2017-18). Oklahoma City is his hometown and where he shined in college. More importantly, the team might bring Griffin closer to becoming a champion.

    Although the Clippers have been perceived as championship contenders since Griffin and Chris Paul‘s arrival to the team, they have not been able to validate that claim.

    Granted, Griffin’s sophomore year was the first time that the Clippers were able to make the playoffs since 2006 and during the 2014-15 season, the Clippers had a franchise-best record of 57-25, but the Clippers have failed to even make it to the conference finals.

    Though Durant’s exit obviously hurt the team, the Thunder were definitely not losers in this offseason.

    During the NBA draft, Serge Ibaka was traded to the Magic in exchange for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Iyasova and Domantas Sabonis. While a backcourt with Oladipo and Westbrook will be exciting to watch, a frontcourt of Steven Adams/Enes Kanter and Griffin would prove to be equally as dangerous.

    The Thunder already had one of the most talented rosters in the NBA before Durant left. Now with Durant gone and a couple of new pieces, the Thunder have seemed to retain a high level of talent. With the addition of Blake Griffin, the Thunder would be lethal in the Western Conference.

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    Blake Griffin might be the Thunder’s only hope of saving their franchise from disappointment. Adding him to the roster will arguably be the best move the team can make in their post-Durant era and will strengthen the chances of Westbrook staying with the Thunder for the long haul.

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