We've seen unprecedented movement of current and former NBA All-Stars this offseason. So, what's one more name added to the list?
According to a new report, Russell Westbrook could join a sizeable group of prominent players to change teams this summer, including the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Kemba Walker and D'Angelo Russell.
In the aftermath of the trade that sent George to the Clippers for a massive haul of draft picks, the Oklahoma City Thunder reportedly have begun considering the possibility of trading Westbrook as well, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Based on conversations among player, agent and team, Oklahoma City for the first time is receptive toward trade calls on franchise star Russell Westbrook, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 8, 2019
Currently 30 years old, Westbrook has four years and $170 million remaining on his contract, which makes any trade for the former MVP a complex one. However, he's coming off three consecutive seasons in which he's averaged a triple-double, and that abundance of talent has at least one team reportedly interested.
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According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, there is mutual interest between Westbrook and the Miami Heat.
Heat president Pat Riley has long been known as a big-game hunter throughout his tenure as a league executive, and he already added another pelt to his wall this offseason in orchestrating a sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler. If the Heat were able to acquire Westbrook as well, that would give them one of the top duos in all of the NBA.
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Miami's cupboards aren't exactly overflowing with assets at the moment, however, so it's not immediately apparent what the Heat would send the other way in a potential trade for Westbrook. Still, given the extreme shift in trajectory and expectations in Oklahoma City, it seems unlikely that Westbrook will be reinvigorated to remain there anytime soon.
