The Sixer Sense
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Will OKC Thunder Deal Russell Westbrook Post Durant?

By Bret Stuter

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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Jan 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) and guard T.J. McConnell (12) talk as time winds down in the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 114-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) and guard T.J. McConnell (12) talk as time winds down in the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 114-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Deal With Philadelphia

Right now, few teams could offer the Thunder a package like the Philadelphia 76ers could.  Westbrook is a top point guard in the NBA, an eight year veteran and one of the best at what he does – score, assist, and steal.   He would not come cheaply.

But if the Oklahoma City Thunder decide to build anew, they will need pieces.  The 76ers could package point guard prospect T.J. McConnell, the 2017 first round pick, and the 2017 first round pick of the Los Angeles Lakes (top three protected).   If the thunder wanted more “now” , the 76ers could take their draft pick out of the equation, and slide in either Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor with Robert Covington to sweeten the deal.

What that would do would jump start the Thunder’s rebuild.  McConnell is already on the upper track of point guards, and he would give the Thunder a place holder and might even emerge as a true starter for the team.  While Noel could serve as a defensive anchor, Okafor, paired with Ilyasova and eventually Sabonis, would be a solid offensive presence at the post.

But the absence of Westbrook would carry the Thunder to the lottery in the 2017 NBA draft, where paired with the Los Angeles Lakers pick, would give the team to build a backcourt around Okafor and Sabonis.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers Open Summer League July 4th

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers get a lease on an NBA elite, a chance to pair one of today’s NBA greats with the future NBA greats on the roster.  It may not last beyond the terms of his current contract which ends at 2017, but it would be a start, would add wins to the team, and would give the 76ers a foot into the door of the best free agents, in time for the 2017 off-season.

The NBA has a political component as well.  If you aren’t winning, you aren’t noticed by the best in the league.  Westbrook on this team would change that.