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NBA Trade Deadline: Every Team’s Most Untouchable Asset

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) in the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-123. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) in the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-123. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook

Kevin Durant is going to be a free agent after the 2015-16 NBA season concludes, and there’s no telling where he’ll end up. A return to the Oklahoma City Thunder is an obvious option, but 29 other teams will be vying for Durant’s services—and only a fool would refrain from, at least, testing the waters.

Russell Westbrook is a polarizing figure unto himself, but OKC would be remiss to split he and Durant up at any point in the near future.

Much has been made of Durant and Westbrook’s inability to win a championship, but they’re only now entering their prime. Durant was injured at 26, the age at which a player’s prime often starts, while Westbrook became a legitimate MVP candidate.

Considering that duo has already led the Thunder to an NBA Finals appearance and three Conference Finals trips, it’s safe to say they have the postseason experience to be ready for even the biggest of moments.

With Serge Ibaka dominating the defensive interior, Billy Donovan opening the playbook, and the supporting cast providing a much stronger impact than in previous seasons, the time is now for OKC to double-down on Durant and Westbrook. It must do all it can to re-sign KD, and that includes not trading him.

Durant and Westbrook can be the greatest duo of our generation; the fact they’re 27 years old says it’s not too late.

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