With Kevin Durant no longer in the picture in Oklahoma City, the Thunder have quite a bit of rebuilding to do before they can contend for a championship. Russell Westbrook has two choices — be the centerpiece of that rebuilding project or move on.
One reporter wonders if Durant’s decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors might actually make Westbrook want to stay in OKC. In a feature that provides an in-depth look into Durant’s thought process, ESPN’s Royce Young claims a source told him in February that “Durant leaving would only make Westbrook more resolute to stay.”
That was five months ago. Westbrook has since sat down with Durant — likely multiple times — in an attempt to convince him that sticking it out with the Thunder was in his best interest. Durant had obviously made up his mind, especially after OKC collapsed against Golden State in the Western Conference Finals.
Young’s tidbit about Westbrook being more likely to stay could be overly optimistic. While Westbrook is a good bet to lead the NBA in scoring next season now with Durant out of the picture, he will be a free agent next summer. You have to assume he, too, wants to win a championship, and if the Thunder had trouble attracting free agents when Durant was there, forget it now.
Interestingly enough, there has been speculation that Durant’s on-court relationship with Westbrook actually contributed to K.D.’s decision to leave. If Westbrook felt that tension also, he might be slightly relieved now that he doesn’t have to share the ball as much. He also might enjoy being the lone face of a franchise for the first time in his career.
Even if Westbrook does end up staying in OKC, reports like this make it clear the Thunder are going to have to sweat it out.
