The OKC Thunder have been carried along by Russell Westbrook's strong play of late with Kevin Durant sidelined with an injury and that has fueled some super early and likely ridiculous speculation by Tom Penn at ESPN that Oklahoma City could look at trading Durant before he hits free agency in 2016, as Westbrook has shown that he can be a number one option.
The Thunder dealt with injuries to both players early in the season and right now Durant has been hobbled a bit, leaving Westbrook to put up five triple doubles in his last seven games. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Tom Penn spoke about the Thunder situation on ESPN's SportsNation and the former NBA executive gave his perspective, saying that he could see the team trading Durant over moving Westbrook at any point if there is indication that he will leave in free agency in 2016.
Durant is hitting the market next summer and he is the next big player that could be available and Penn compared the situation to James Harden and his trade to the Rockets. Penn said that Sam Presti has a track record of not letting his best assets leave without getting something in return and after moving Harden to the Rockets, he could listen to offers for Durant. Penn said the "drumbeat..is going to be so loud" next season because Durant likely will not sign an extension before hitting the market. Durant can get the max amount by hitting the market and that means he almost certainly will be going into free agency.
Pro Basketball Talk poured some water on that idea, as Durant is one of the best players in the league, but if OKC doesn't make a playoff run this season the team may consider it. Tony Kornheiser at PTI spoke about Russell Westbrook and this situation, saying that Westbrook was the more likely player to leave. Westbrook is from Los Angeles and played at UCLA and the Lakers could be a potential target for him down the line if he leaves Oklahoma City.
While all this is major speculation for Westbrook and Durant, crazier things have happened and while the Thunder are not the Timberwolves, the team just went through the Kevin Love mess and look how that turned out. Love ended up getting traded, but clearly the Thunder is a different situation since they are actually winning. Westbrook will be a major target if he ever hits the market and he clearly can be a number one guy.
Westbrook just put up some amazing numbers, going for 201 points, 61 rebounds and 56 assists in his last five games and he added another triple double with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 17 assists. Durant is coming back from an injury and while he will be out for the game against the Clippers, he could be back in a week. The Thunder come in after a win against the Toronto Raptors and they next will play against the Clippers before a matchup with the Wolves. The team is now in the eighth playoff spot after a slow start worth Durant out and they are 35-28 on the season.
