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Russell Westbrook Trade Rumors: Realistic Destinations

By Maxwell Ogden

May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) waits to take the floor prior to the game the game against the Golden State Warriors in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) waits to take the floor prior to the game the game against the Golden State Warriors in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 8, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mention: Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns may be able to offer the single most attractive trade package to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The reason Phoenix is an honorable mention is that, among the listed teams, it has the lowest probability of being able to re-sign Russell Westbrook.

Nevertheless, it’d be irrational to write the Suns off as a potential trade partner for the Thunder.

Phoenix has an overcrowded backcourt that includes Eric Bledsoe, Devin Booker, Archie Goodwin, and Brandon Knight. Phoenix also has a number of promising young frontcourt players in Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, Alex Len, and T.J. Warren.

Coupled with Phoenix’s tradable draft picks, it stands to reason that Sam Presti would value an offer from the Suns over that made by virtually any other organization.

Either Bledsoe or Knight would make an ideal starting point guard alongside Victor Oladipo—and it’d likely cost Bledsoe. Either Bender or Chriss would need to be included as the young player with star potential, and T.J. Warren may also be targeted.

If that sounds like a lot, it’s likely because Westbrook is a superstar just entering the prime of his career; these opportunities aren’t exactly common.

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