NBA Rumors: New York Knicks Target Russell Westbrook Trade; OKC Star Opts Out of Kevin Durant Duo Deal

By Mitch de Leon
Oklahoma City Thunder Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook
Oklahoma City Thunder Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook

The New York Knicks have been implementing major changes in the organization. Ever since Carmelo Anthony rejected the Chicago Bulls to go back to the basketball mecca, fans have been optimistic about the possibility of the team turning things around. With the 2014-15 NBA season, however, the New York Knicks appear to be performing worse than ever.

Things started to look better though when Kristaps Porzingis entered the New York Knicks roster. The 20-year-old rookie from Latvia was initially booed and rejected by the fans of the Brooklyn Lopez squad. However, Porzingis eventually showed the fans why Derek Fisher and the front office chose him for the team. While the rookie is admittedly revolutionizing the New York Knicks, the team still needs more players to bolster their chances of at least making the playoffs.

One of the most widely rumored NBA trade deals involves the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks. Although practically everyone in the basketball community appears to be focused on Kevin Durant and his free agency options, it looks like the All-Star's teammate might share the limelight soon.

"The Knicks have a real chance to sell Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook in 2017 - New York, and Porzingis have his attention, yes - and Jackson ought to start constructing an elite coaching staff to begin that process with Westbrook and with free agents beyond him," revealed Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.

Rumors circulating that Russell Westbrook is seriously considering a deal that will see him in the New York Knicks locker room by 2017 are in contrast to earlier reports that he will be joining Durant wherever the latter goes. However, sports analysts believe that the Oklahoma City Thunder star is who Anthony and Porzingis need to have finally a strong Big Three in the New York Knicks roster.

Earlier speculations disclosed that the Los Angeles Lakers are aiming to land Durant by offering a blockbuster deal. This contract will guarantee the Oklahoma City Thunder star that Westbrook will enter the NBA team come 2017. In this manner, the two basketball stars will once again be reunited. With a stronger core team, the partnership of Durant and Westbrook could eventually lead to an NBA championship trophy.

"Keep in mind this. One of the biggest reasons, I'm told, that Kevin Durant may have the Lakers at the top of his list is because the Lakers have been led to believe - by whom specifically I do not know - but the Lakers have been led to believe that it is a very good chance that the following year Russell Westbrook is coming," said Stephen A. Smith in the Mason and Ireland show.

"Because of that, this notion that Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook ain't tight, that they don't want to play together, that is a lie. They love each other, and they love being on the same team with one another," Smith added. "And if it so happens to be in the L.A. market, all the better. I'm not saying that it's done, I'm not saying that they said they're going to leave Oklahoma City, but it's a big possibility. It's a big possibility."

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