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

DeMar DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan doesn’t stretch the floor, so the already 3-point deficient Thunder would really be forfeiting the long-ball in this scenario, but that didn’t stop them from almost acquiring DeRozan in the summer of 2017 before they got Paul George.

The Spurs found a way to build an average offense around DeRozan and Aldridge. DeRozan is paid almost exactly what Beal will be paid this coming season but is slightly older and not as coveted, plus he has an opt-out next summer, so the asking price would be less for him than for Beal. If the Thunder executed a trade comparable to the Beal scenarios (with or without SGA), fewer Clippers/Heat picks would be involved, and the Thunder could use the remainder to add 3-and-D type players, this season or in the future.

Of course, the Thunder could unleash Westbrook as a solo act again, as they did three seasons ago until contracts signed this summer become tradable. There are a few newly paid max-level guys it’s easy to envision on the trade block come December 15th.