Oklahoma City Thunder: Does OKC have to trade Russell Westbrook and rebuild?

With the most picks in the NBA, there’s a pathway for the Oklahoma City Thunder to add a second star to Russell Westbrook, instead of rebuilding

Over the weekend, the small market Oklahoma City Thunder lost a sweet-shooting, playmaking, elite two-way small forward for the greener pastures of California, for the second time in 1,100 days.

Within hours, reports surfaced that Russell Westbrook’s camp had approached the Thunder management about finding a possible trade for the megastar, if the Thunder were, in fact, ready to close this chapter and begin a true rebuild, in earnest, with the unprecedented five future picks and two pick swaps set to convey from 2021 through 2026.

The Thunder clearly realized the roster as constructed wasn’t good enough to compete for a title or justify a gigantic luxury tax bill, but with the trove of assets obtained in the PG trade, the Thunder could make more moves to replace most of Paul George‘s production while continuing to trim salary. No one player currently on the trade block can replace PG, but perhaps an All-Star and several 3-and-D type guys can come close.

OKC’s three worst contracts are probably Dennis Schroder (2 years/$31M), Andre Roberson (1 year/$10.7M), Patrick Patterson (1 year/$5.7M) and Steven Adams (2 years/$53.4M).

Several teams with an All-Star on their roster are approaching a rebuild and could be interested in trading their studs for bad contracts and future assets, courtesy of the Clippers. While no single move will thrust the Thunder into contention, any of the following moves will keep them in the hunt for a top 4 playoff seed, and shave that repeater luxury tax bill.