The Oklahoma City Thunder Will Regret Not Trading Russell Westbrook Due To Basketball Reasons
Even though many NBA fans and experts expect Russell Westbrook to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to moderate success next season, that actually won't be the case. This is because the Thunder will most likely run a half court offense similar to when Kevin Durant had to miss games with the Jones fracture injury. Where Russell Westbrook will bring the ball up the floor until he gets up to the three point line, then he calls for a screen. Once the screen is set, he goes over the top of it and if there is no defender on the other side of the screen he will drive to the basket. Westbrook will try to score if he sees a wide open path towards the basket, otherwise, he will pass it to the perimeter to try to get a three point shot for the team. On the other hand, if there is a defender on the other side of the screen he will pass to the screener for a wide open shot. However, the Thunder won't be able to effectively run this type of offense because the team does not have enough players who are capable of consistently making a three. As a result, opposing defenses will focus on clogging up the painted area which will force the team to take a contested shot in the paint or settle for a long two pointer or a three point shot that they will have difficulty making. For instance, on most possessions I expect that Westbrook will bring the ball up the floor until he gets up to the three point line, then he calls for a screen. Once the screen is set, he goes over the top of it and he will be tempted to shoot the three because he knows this is the only wide open shot will get. On top of that he knows that if he decides to attack the basket, the opposing team will collapse on him which forces him to choose the lesser of two evils either take a contested shot or kick it out for an ineffective three.
(the 3 point percentage of every player on the roster last season)
(Ersan Ilyasova's 3 point percentage)
(Victor Oladipo's 3 point percentage)
( 2 examples of the thunder's half court offense without Durant)
While Russell Westbrook will be able to keep the team competitive throughout the season, it won't be enough to make a decent playoff run because of the lack of three point shooting . Therefore, it would be best for the Thunder to trade him which would allow them to get some young assets and increase the likelihood of getting a top draft pick. If they decide to keep Westbrook it increases the likelihood that the team eventually will have to give him away for nothing or at best below market value since they will be good enough to not get a top ten pick but not good enough to be a playoff threat. As a result, the Thunder front office will have a hard time finding a way to improve the team without having to give up an asset via trade because top tier free agents will say there are other teams that are closer to winning a championship. Which will lead to him getting angry and asking for a trade because he is at the point in his career where he wants to win championships.
