Good Trade Partners for a Westbrook Move

(July 4 2016)  By: Efraim Graber

Since Kevin Durant chose the Golden State Warriors as his new team, the Thunder need to counteract that move. They have already expressed interest in moving Westbrook for the right price. The reason to move him is because now that Durant is gone, Westbrook's chances of staying have slimmed immensely. Here are 2 teams that make sense for Russell and for the Thunder franchise.

Los Angeles Lakers - The Lakers would have no reason to keep D'Angelo Russell, so sending him in the trade is a no brainer. Lou Williams is going to have to be sent as an incentive as well. There is no way the Lakers give up Julius Randle or Brandon Ingram in this trade. In addition a first round pick will round out this trade. The Thunder could make a quick turn around by builing around Oladipo and Russell. Obviously there would be other players involved in the deal to make the salaries work.

New Orleans Pelicans - The Pelicans have less
up and comers to offer in this trade. Buddy hield would probably have to go along with Jrue Holiday and a first round pick. This would leave the Pelicans with Westbrook, Evans, Pondexter, Hill and Anthony Davis as the starters. They would probably have to absorb the contract of one of the Thunder bigs.