When Kevin Durant walked away from Oklahoma City, most NBA followers had the same logical reaction…
Russell Westbrook is going to get traded!
There is zero chance that Sam Presti lets his two biggest stars walk away for nothing. I can understand going to the hilt on Durant and hoping you can sell him on family and finishing what they started. He couldn’t, and now there’s a very real worry in a very small market that they’ll have a very long rebuild on their hands.
It is with this backdrop that Howard Beck goes on a speculative run down the rabbit hole and suggests that there is a feeling among NBA General Managers that Westbrook will indeed start the season in another city, and that city is very likely going to be Boston.
Here’s the video.
If for some reason it doesn’t play, here’s the direct link to Bleacher Report.
Yes, this is a heavily couched feeling that follows logical steps and general sentiment… so it’s important to note that there is no report of actual talks. However, unlike other recent rumors, Howard Beck is a very respected national writer with a sterling reputation and actual sources… not some random radio station employee or blogger. Beck is actually speaking to General Managers and is gauging the sentiment himself.
So while there is no smoke or fire to speak of yet, there are matches, sticks, and some kindling here and a couple of guys who know how to build a fire nearby. The Celtics have any number of assets they can move in a trade like this, including two of the best draft picks any team will find over the next couple of years and some solid young players to help push that rebuild forward pretty quickly.
If Sam Presti is truly going to hit that reset button, the Celtics will have what he wants. If they can get Westbrook and pair him with Horford AND have money to get ANOTHER max guy next year?
Well… now we’re cookin’
