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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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Feb 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Western Conference guard Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder (0) prepares to shoot against Eastern Conference forward LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers (23) in the first half of the NBA All Star Game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Western Conference guard Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder (0) prepares to shoot against Eastern Conference forward LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers (23) in the first half of the NBA All Star Game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

Yes, we’re going there.

If this is the new NBA, then color me a fan of the old school. The reality is, the Golden State Warriors just made the type of move that usually only happens in a game of NBA 2K.

If the Cleveland Cavaliers can respond by trading for Russell Westbrook, then David Griffin should sincerely consider doing so.

Clearly, Westbrook and LeBron James are ball-dominant playmakers who can’t really shoot—the same thing that was said about James and Dwyane Wade. Like James and Wade, Westbrook and James are two of the Top 5 players in the NBA—and easily the two most dynamic athletes.

If you can’t match the Warriors’ shooting, then you might as well overwhelm them with powerful athletes who can destroy the rim.

If you’re wondering if this deal would require the Cavaliers trading Kyrie Irving, then the answer is yes. If you’re wondering if I think the Cavaliers should make such a move without giving a second thought to it, then the answer is no.

The reality is, Golden State just made a power move unlike any in NBA history by signing a league MVP to a team that already had three 2016 All-NBA selections.

must read: Teams that should trade for Nikola Vucevic

If the Cavaliers can even attempt to make James and Westbrook the new Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen—or Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan—then it’d be worth considering.

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