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Lakers: Latest on the Russell Westbrook Trade Front

By Eric Yee

Apr 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) brings the ball up the court against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) brings the ball up the court against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Despite the latest rumors, many still view the Los Angeles Lakers as the favorite to land Russell Westbrook come next season

Contrary to what anyone will tell you about Russell Westbrook, don’t be fooled, this kid is the real deal.

Citing hollow triple-doubles and selfish play, any team including the Lakers would be lying if they told you they didn’t want the 27 year old guard to play for their organization. And with Kevin Durant leaving for greener pastures, that could end up happening “sooner than later.”

Though nothing is at all imminent — in actuality, it appears far from it — the most recent rumblings have the UCLA Alumni, “both angry and hurt not only by Durant’s decision to leave but also because Durant didn’t even call to tell him personally,” per RealGm.

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As a longstanding representative for emotion fueled NBA players, this news should come as no surprise, as Westbrook likely felt blindsided by Durant’s shocking decision which reaffirmed the mantra that at the end of the day, the NBA is truly “just business.”

However, you can be damn sure that that logic won’t register with Westbrook while his wounds are still open, and even perhaps after they’re fully healed.

RealGm also revealed that despite his feelings of betrayal, he’s not abandoning ship just yet as he prepares to play this season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"Russell Westbrook does not want the Oklahoma City Thunder to trade him this offseason, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. Westbrook wants to play this coming season with the Thunder but he is unsure about his future beyond that in 2017 when he becomes a free agent.But Westbrook will give serious thought to signing an extension with the Thunder. Teams have called the Thunder about Westbrook but they’ve consistently said he’s not available."

At the end of the day, if he’s still unwilling to sign an extension for the long run, the decision ultimately won’t even be up to him, as the Thunder would never let both Durant and Westbrook leave their team for nothing in back to back years.

Next: Free Agency: Larry Sanders on the Lakers Radar?

While it seems like the Lakers are just biding their time until 2017 free agency, you know that they’re devouring every piece of Westbrook news that hits the web, and rightfully so.

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