Will OKC Thunder Deal Russell Westbrook Post Durant?

May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, right) is congratulated by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) after game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, right) is congratulated by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) after game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, right) is congratulated by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) after game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, right) is congratulated by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) after game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Oklahoma City Thunder are spiraling after Kevin Durant‘s decision to accept the Golden State Warrior’s offer. Now does the Thunder restock, or trade Russell Westbrook and rebuild?

The Oklahoma City Thunder had plenty of time to contemplate contingencies.  They are a well-run organization, a team fed by the NBA draft and with two of the magic three stars on board in small forward Kevin Durant and point guard Russell Westbrook.  They were oh so close in the 2016 NBA playoffs, and seemed to need just one more elite player to get over the hump to an NBA Championship.

But floating to that height requires timing, because the lure of money and other team’s offers pulls the best players elsewhere.  And so, Kevin Durant was lured away to the  competition, the Golden State Warriors.

While mildly surprising, it was a possibility which everyone saw coming.  But when it happened, it made the NBA pause a moment.

Next: Setback