Celtics Favorites to Land Russell Westbrook?
By Jeremy Karll
The Celtics are reportedly favorites to land Russell Westbrook
According to Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck, the Boston Celtics could be the favorites to land star guard Russell Westbrook if the Oklahoma City Thunder decide to move him. While Thunder GM Sam Presti has said that he hopes they can re-sign Westbrook next summer, GMs around the league feel the Thunder will trade Westbrook sooner than later.
Unless the Thunder are extremely confident that they’ll be able to retain their star guard, it seems like the right move. They don’t want both of their superstars to leave through free agency without getting anything back in return, especially in back-to-back years.
Beck also noted that the Thunder aren’t afraid to move key players. They moved James Harden during his last contract year because they opted towards giving a big contract to Serge Ibaka. Later, the Thunder traded backup guard Reggie Jackson after he was reportedly unhappy coming off the bench. Then, this year, Oklahoma City traded away long-time big man Serge Ibaka on draft night.
To add to what Beck said, it also seems like the Thunder have tried to get younger. Adding Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis signals that Oklahoma City could be ready to rebuild, or at least get younger following Kevin Durant‘s departure.
GMs feel that the Celtics are the most likely destination for Westbrook because of their abundance of young assets. While it does come with risk, I would assume that Danny Ainge would feel confident that Westbrook would re-sign with Boston at the end of the year, or else it wouldn’t be worth giving up what Oklahoma City would likely be asking.
Boston is also one of the only teams that has assets to offer but can still keep their core group together. Al Horford won’t be part of a deal, although keeping both Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder will be tough but Ainge will try. The fact that Westbrook only has one-year left on his contract should give the Celtics leverage when it comes to adding key players.
It will likely take both of the Brooklyn Nets‘ picks, and Terry Rozier and Avery Bradley. It’d be well worth it, though, as Westbrook can play the point or two-guard, and the Celtics would keep their strong core together.
Next: Would the Celtics Ever Trade Isaiah Thomas?
At the moment it’s all speculation, but it’s no doubt Boston will make a hard run at Westbrook if the Thunder do make him available. If the Thunder do decide to trade Westbrook, it will likely be before the season starts as his value will diminish significantly as the season progresses.