"No Chance" Russell Westbrook Signs Extension with Oklahoma City, So Will the Celtics Trade For Him?

Russell Westbrook is the last man standing from the Oklahoma City dynasty that wasn’t: James Harden was traded in 2012, Serge Ibaka was dealt last month, and Kevin Durant signed with the Warriors today.

Which leaves Westbrook … for now, anyway. He’s got one more year left on his deal, and less than an hour after ESPN reported that the Thunder are going to push to extend Westbrook’s deal, comes this bummer from Turner’s David Aldridge:

It’s over.

Westbrook’s going to leave next summer, so you’ve got to trade him. (Think about it for a second: Don’t you think Durant had this discussion with Westbrook before leaving? Obviously Westbrook wasn’t long for OKC, which made Durant’s decision easier.)

Now the question becomes who swoops in to trade for Westbrook. Obviously it’ll have to be someone Westbrook is willing to sign an extension with. Which narrows the options to maybe Miami, New York or the Lakers/Clippers.

Danny Ainge and the Celtics haven’t had a good summer, but what if he offered up Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder and Marcus Smart, and tossed in next year’s #1 overall pick? The Thunder would jump at that, but does Ainge hold off and say, ‘we can get Westbrook for free next July!’

Unless of course he goes to the Lakers.

The Knicks, who love Westbrook, will be ready next July to make a move, but can’t do anything right now with Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings just signed (not to mention, New York has no assets).

At any rate, Westbrook Watch is going to be a fantastic thrill ride for the next 12 months. How about this?