After trying to lock up Russell Westbrook long term following the departure of Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder got their second difficult bit of news this week.
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| With Russell Westbrook in the final year of his contract and declining to sign an extension at this time, OKC must plan to trade him some time this season or risk losing Westbrook for nothing next summer. |
This news will necessitate the Oklahoma City Thunder planning their first rebuilding process since the team moved from Seattle to their present day home in Oklahoma City.
The Oklahoma City Thunder will begin that rebuilding process by putting their elite point guard on the trading block, as of right now.
Would the Chicago Bulls be interested in trading for a Top 5 Player in the NBA in Russell Westbrook?
Of course!
The Chicago Bulls are among six teams that are reportedly interested in dealing for Westbrook. The Chicago Bulls will have to outbid the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Orlando Magic.
And it also makes some sense for the Chicago Bulls, who are still built to win right now.
And although the Chicago Bulls will be losing both Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah to free agency, they got back a solid starter in Robin Lopez (via the Derrick Rose trade), and they still have Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis, and Nikola Mirotic up front.
Having not dealt Jimmy Butler yet, the Chicago Bulls should be able to plug Russell Westbrook right into Derrick Rose's role on the team.
The Chicago Bulls would return to being in the mix among the best teams in the Eastern Conference, except they would have a player that is at this point, more athletic, a better shooter, and a more explosive scorer than Derrick Rose is now.
For the rebuilding Oklahoma City Thunder, they would be looking for some young starters and draft picks in exchange for their All-Star. Bobby Portis, Doug McDermott, Jerian Grant, and draft picks would probably have to be included as part of a potential deal.
This would leave the Chicago Bulls with a solid starting line-up:
- PG Westbrook
- SG Butler
- SF Mirotic
- PF Gibson
- C Lopez
And while the bench would be stripped bare, the additional cap space under this collective bargaining agreement would allow for the Chicago Bulls to add several veteran role players to help fill out the roster this season.
And with the quirky way the salary cap will jump again next summer, the Chicago Bulls would be able to add a max contract player to this already solid starting line-up that would be able to challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in the East.
What do you think it will take to acquire Russell Westbrook? Ultimately, where do you think Russell Westbrook wants to go in a trade/ free agency? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
