The Thunder don’t have a lot of leverage at the moment.
The entire world knows they are trying to trade Russell Westbrook, so they are stuck between a rock and hard place. Especially when the HEAT know that Westbrook wants to be traded to them.
It is smart on their part to play hardball for now. Here is the latest via the Miami Herald.
OKC has asked the Heat to include impressive rookie guard Tyler Herro in the proposed trade, but the Heat has been reluctant to do that. Because Herro signed with the Heat on Wednesday, he cannot be included in any trade for 30 days, but that isn’t viewed as an obstacle.
At another point in the discussions this week, the Thunder asked the Heat to include two among Herro, Bam Adebayo and Justise Winslow, according to a source in touch with one of the two teams. The Heat also is opposed to including Adebayo, whom coach Erik Spoelstra ranked among the best centers in the league in the final months of last season.
Winslow has been good, not great with HEAT, so makes sense they would want to get rid of him.
It will likely be the Thunder that blinks first because they don’t want to go into the season with a disgruntled Westbrook.
Flip the page for news video of the latest on the proposed trade.