The Oklahoma City Thunder are “receptive toward trade calls” on star guard Russell Westbrook, according to The Athletic’s Sham Charania.
ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Saturday that Westbrook and his agent “are engaged with Thunder GM Sam Presti about the next steps of Westbrook’s career, including the possibility of a trade prior to the start of next season.”
Wojnarowski’s report included the news that, per his sources, team and player “both understand that the time has likely come to explore trade possibilities for Westbrook.”
The Thunder traded Westbrook’s co-star, Paul George, to the Los Angeles Clippers late Friday night in a blockbuster transaction that sent ripples through the entire league and drastically changes OKC’s trajectory — and that of the club’s lone remaining star in Westbrook who, at 30 years old, isn’t likely in a position to endure a rebuild.
George quietly requested the trade to the Clippers last week after being recruited by Kawhi Leonard, who signed with the club after a lengthy negotiation period that had basketball fans in Toronto and L.A. anxiously watching his every move.
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