NBA Rumors: Russell Westbrook To Be Traded Soon; Celtics Make Sense

NBA Rumors: Multiple GMs around the league expect Russell Westbrook to be traded sooner rather than later; the Boston Celtics make sense

After how they got burned with Kevin Durant this summer, it’s only natural for the Oklahoma City Thunder to take a more aggressive approach when it comes to Russell Westbrook‘s impending free agency.

It’s the most sensible move.

And according to Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck, considering that there’s a growing suspicion that Westbrook doesn’t intend on re-signing with the Thunder next summer when he hits free agency, it’s a matter of “when” the Thunder trade Westbrook. Not if.

Word around the league, per Beck, is that a Westbrook trade could come sooner rather than later. And there’s one team that makes the most sense.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

"[via Bleacher Report]I don’t think anybody knows for certain what Russell Westbrook wants to do or intends to do next summer. But that said, let’s just say that there’s a very strong suspicion, a strong belief, among rival GMs that Russell Westbrook is not intending on staying – that he would leave next summer when he hits free agency.And because of that, the logical next step is that Sam Presti, who is always ahead of the curve on these things, will look to trade him. Now, I don’t know if that’s happening right this moment, but if we know anything on Sam Presti and the Thunder…we know if there’s any concern that Westbrook will leave that they’re going to be aggressive.What I’m hearing, here in Las Vegas, from some GMs is that not only do they think that Westbrook will get traded, that it will be sooner rather than later, probably before the season starts…and the most likely destination right now would be the Boston Celtics."

If Westbrook is going to be traded before the season, that kind of changes things. The only big issue with trying to find a trade partner for Westbrook is that it could be difficult, especially if he isn’t willing to commit beyond this season with said team.

In order to acquire a player like Westbrook, you’re going to need a boatload of assets. However, you don’t want to give up everything in your arsenal for a player that may or may not re-sign. That’s the issue.

This will ultimately fall on Westbrook. Perhaps he will give the Thunder a “list” of teams that he would re-sign with, as is often the case with trading players who are playing on expiring contracts.

must read: NBA Power Rankings: Post Draft And Free Agency Edition

Either way, if the Thunder are serious about moving Westbrook, and soon, there could be plenty of teams trying to outbid each other. Perhaps the craziness of the NBA offseason isn’t exactly over quite yet.

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