The Oklahoma City Thunder were just eliminated from the NBA playoffs at the hands of the Utah Jazz. The trio of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony were put together in hopes of competing for a championship but fell much shorter by their 1st round exit.
Anthony had an underwhelming playoff debut with the Thunder and appears to be unhappy with his role on the team and the Thunder would also like to move on from his contract and diminishing talent. Paul George is also a free agent and most people in NBA circles believe he’s going to leave for greener pastures.
There’s a growing number of people in NBA circles, who believe that the Thunder should explore moving on from Westbrook as his ball dominating play isn’t conducive to winning basketball. Just last summer he signed an extension for $205 million extension to remain with the team so it will be hard to see him be moved in a possible trade.
According to Zach Lowe:
“There’s an increasing number of people around the league who think the Thunder should look at trading Westbrook,” Lowe said. “To be clear, not a report. Not ‘Thunder sources think they should do this.’ Just in spitballing ideas with teams around the league, there’s a number of people who have heard, just like, ‘It’s time for something to change here.’ And my reaction to that is, no one should touch that contract with a 10-foot pole.”
It’s rather perplexing that a player of Westbrook’s stature would be considered the problem for the Thunder. We will see if the Thunder listen to the noise or roll with the resident superstar.