Russell Westbrook Inks 5-year, $80 Million Extension, So Forget About the Thunder Trading Him

So forget about trading Westbrook to Boston for Rajon Rondo (and parts) or to Orlando for Dwight Howard (and parts). The Lakers can cross him off whatever wish-list they might have had. Perish the thoughts of Westbrook going to Minnesota for Kevin Love, assuming you had thoughts about that in the first place.

Frankly, I’m a bit surprised at this move. Sam Presti and the Thunder are viewed as one of the smartest front offices in the league, and they’ve built a strong contender through free agency and the draft in just a few years. (It’s too early to say this missed on trading BJ Mullens, though he is playing great early for the Bobcats. He turns 23 next month.)

We all know Westbrook’s penchant for thinking he’s The Man, and he already had a mini kerfuffle with Kevin Durant earlier this season and was benched in the playoffs. Can the Thunder win a title with a shoot-first point guard who might have issues being a wingman? Westbrook is brilliant when the tempo is fast, but often struggles in the halfcourt (well, not if he gets isolated against Luke Ridnour). Would they have been better with Deron Williams, a pass-first point guard?

We’ll never know.