Oklahoma Thunder General Manager Sam Presti is reportedly hoping that he could convince Russell Westbrook to stay with the team for one more year. Meanwhile, there is a possibility that the Sacramento Kings will keep Rudy Gay if it can not find a suitable trade.
The Thunder team is still shaken by the loss of Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors. Presti is no doubt getting attractive trade offers from the other teams. This is a highly enticing option since this will allow him to rebuild the team much quicker with the added bonus of getting some valuable players in return.
He also has the option of negotiating a renewal contract with Westbrook, according to the Bleach Report. According to sport podcaster Wojnarowski, the second option seems likely. In a televised interview with The Herd, he claimed that Westbrook is staying put with the Oklahoma Thunder. The team on the other hand is not interested in putting him up for trade.
The latter part is true. Presti could ill afford to lose another valuable player. The Thunder GM would certainly receive a barrage of verbal pummeling from Oklahoma fans if he allows the trade of Russell Westbrook.
The Los Angeles Lakers however, is willing to wait for one year before presenting a job offer to Westbrook. By that time the point guard is already a free agent and does not obliged the Lakers to make any trades for him, according to NESN.
Meanwhile, CSN reporter James Ham tweeted that the Sacramento Kings are receiving plenty of trade offers for Rudy Gay, as well as Kosta Koufos and Ben McLemore. Gay has reportedly requested for his trade which can help the Kings hasten the trading process. However, he believes that the Sacramento will only trade players like Gay if they could get someone who is good enough and can stay for the long-term.
