NBA Rumors: Oklahoma City Thunder Russell Westbrook Calls For Jeremy Lin Trade; Enes Kanter, Steven Adams Want Linsanity

By Mitch de Leon
Jeremy Lin
January 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7, right) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, left) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hornets 111-101. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Kevin Durant free agency train, which left the Oklahoma City Thunder shocked over his move to the Golden State Warriors, made Russell Westbrook the hero of the NBA team. While the 2014 MVP figures out how to fit in the group by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the remaining OKC NBA All-Star is thinking of ways to keep them on top of the Western Conference. Reports indicate that the Russell Westbrook contract extension includes a Jeremy Lin trade clause.

The Brooklyn Nets leader, who was also signed via free agency, is known to have the most supportive followers in the league. Ever since the entrance of Jeremy Lin in the NBA, his fans kept up with his different teams that included the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks. Despite the lucrative deals he had, Jeremy Lin had been quite clear with his next goal in basketball – to find a team where he can stay for a very long time.

While the Brook Lopez squad promises Jeremy Lin the starting position he has long wanted, it looks like Russell Westbrook is trying to lure the Linsanity into something more permanent. Given the nature of the Oklahoma City Thunder locker room, wherein players stay for almost a decade with the team, the offer from the Steven Adams group might just be attractive to the Asian basketball star.

Moreover, a chance to work alongside one of the best NBA All-Star players is definitely a notable perk for the Linsanity. Apart from his stats and leadership, the standing of Russell Westbrook in the league was further cemented by none other than Michael Jordan himself. The Chicago Bulls legend and current Charlotte Hornets exec singled out the Oklahoma City Thunder star and gave him the ultimate praise.

"Thirty years ago, that's me," Michael Jordan described Russell Westbrook. The Chicago Bulls icon added, "The attitude, trying to prove myself, showing so much passion for the game of basketball. You see it in his play. You can tell he loves the game, he plays with energy and flair."

The comments unsurprisingly flattered Russell Westbrook. While the Oklahoma City Thunder star shared his shock over the praises from Michael Jordan, he also vowed to use them as inspiration to carry the Enes Kanter squad to greatness – a similar promise made by the basketball icon himself in the Chicago Bulls.

"That's crazy," said Russell Westbrook of the comments from Michael Jordan. He added, "I really don't know what to say. To have the best player who ever played the game to say that about you as a player and as a person is something that is going to keep me striving."

The NBA rumors involving a Jeremy Lin trade to the Russell Westbrook squad have yet to be confirmed by the parties mentioned. However, fans of the Linsanity are excited to see how their idol will fit in the Oklahoma City Thunder roster.

What do you think? Is Jeremy Lin a good fit for the Oklahoma City Thunder? Will the Linsanity be a better partner to Russell Westbrook than Kevin Durant?

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