With Kawhi Leonard and Paul George heading to Los Angeles, the Clippers’ championship window is now as wide open as it can get.
As for the Oklahoma City Thunder, that door seems to have been slammed shut with the club’s biggest star, Russell Westbrook, left behind once again by his co-star. So, where does that leave the All-Star guard?
According to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, 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 added that, per his sources, team and player “both understand that the time has likely come to explore trade possibilities for Westbrook.”
The Thunder’s return on the deal that sent George to the Clippers was massive, and sets the stage for a rebuild: five first-round picks, two pick swaps, point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari.
This, of course, isn’t the first time the Westbrook and the Thunder have been put in a position like this. The club lost Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors back in 2016, with Westbrook opting to stay. Bringing in George a year later saw the Thunder maintain its status as a contender.
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