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NBA Trade Rumors: Russell Westbrook Should Stay With OKC

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after dunking against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Oklahoma City defeated Toronto 119-100. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after dunking against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Oklahoma City defeated Toronto 119-100. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Fans hold up images of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) in game one of their first round NBA Playoffs series at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Fans hold up images of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) in game one of their first round NBA Playoffs series at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Oklahoma City

Yes, the Oklahoma City Thunder did just lose Kevin Durant to free agency. Yes, Oklahoma City is a small-market team that will be competing with the likes of Russell Westbrook’s hometown Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, and the New York Knicks.

True as that all may be, Oklahoma City isn’t just another small-market city; it’s one of the most passionate fan bases in American sports.

Westbrook has always been the type of player who feeds off of the energy of the crowd. He screams after loud dunks and and-one layups, with Oklahoma City’s rabid fans echoing his sentiments.

If Sam Presti can use anything to his advantage in free agency discussions, it’s the fan base that’s supported Westbrook through thick and thin.

Though this didn’t work for Durant, Westbrook has always been the more vocal of the two. Thus, Presti should do his homework and gauge how much the home crowd truly means to Westbrook and whether or not he’d stay in Oklahoma City.

There are a number of great cities that Westbrook could explore, but the environment in Oklahoma City would be the most authentic he could find in free agency due to the status as the homegrown star.

Next: The Harsh Reality

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