How Russell Westbrook Could End Up On The San Antonio Spurs
By Dan Schultz
With speculation concerning the future of Russell Westbrook, the San Antonio Spurs remain an interesting possibility for the energetic guard.
It may be hard to believe, but the Oklahoma City Thunder’s shot at winning an NBA title appears to be over for the time being after Kevin Durant left this summer to join the Golden State Warriors.
It was a stunning move, especially since the Thunder came so close to shocking the world this past season. They came just short of finishing off the Warriors, losing in the Western Conference Finals in seven games after blowing a 3-1 lead in the series.
With Durant gone, things could potentially get much worse for the Thunder. After all, Russell Westbrook is in the final year of his contract and there isn’t a lot keeping him there now that KD isn’t by his side anymore.
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The Thunder may consider exploring all of their options, including possibly trading Westbrook elsewhere in order to get some prospects and picks in return. There is considerable fear that Westbrook will bolt as soon as he becomes a free agent next summer, something the Thunder can’t afford to let happen again.
That’s why blowing it all up by trading him and starting from scratch might be their best alternative, as unsavory as that might be given how close they were to winning it all last year.
Many are already starting to speculate as to where Westbrook will end up. It was reported that the Thunder’s general manager, Sam Presti, has already reached out to the San Antonio Spurs about the possibility of a trade. After all, Presti got his start as a scout for the Spurs, and has many ties to the organization.
With that said, this still seems unlikely to happen; given the Spurs want to hang on to both Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge, two players the Thunder will obviously ask about. Outside of them, the Spurs might be able to offer a package involving Danny Green, Dejounte Murray, Kyle Anderson, and a few picks or prospects, but that probably would not be enough.
Some experts, like ESPN’s Jalen Rose, think Westbrook going to the Spurs makes a lot of sense:
The most realistic scenario is that the Thunder keep Westbrook for another year, hoping he won’t stick it to them for the second year in a row, praying the opportunity to prove his loyalty to the club will be a good enough reason to make him want to stay. If they decide not to move him, Westbrook will still be heavily courted by many teams, including the Spurs.
While it would most likely involve some cap maneuvering, the Spurs would absolutely pursue him at all costs. Tony Parker really took a step back last season, and is certainly only a few seasons away from retirement. You have to figure Westbrook greatly respects their organization, especially head coach Gregg Popovich.
Also, what about the opportunity to get back at Durant for leaving him in the dust? What’s better than joining the Warriors’ prime threat out West in the Spurs? Especially considering Durant saying his relationship with Westbrook “won’t ever be the same”?
Of course, right now all of this is speculative and seems like a somewhat ridiculous scenario, but it seemed preposterous that Durant would go to the Warriors, right? And no one really thought that the Spurs would end up plucking Aldridge from the Portland Trail Blazers, but they somehow pulled it off.
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It would take a Herculean effort by the Spurs to acquire Westbrook, but don’t be surprised if they are very active in terms of finding some way to bring the explosive combo guard to their team either this offseason or next summer.