Plus, Gay is not the missing piece for the Thunder to become title contenders. Related Story: Addressing recent trade rumors He’s upped his play this season solely for the purpose of getting one last large contract, and the Thunder can’t afford to pay for that. Losing the next four years of Payne for a half-season of Gay (who is a free agent this summer) would be in the worst interest of the Thunder. Gay is notorious for being a locker-room pariah every time he gets traded the team that picks him up gets worse.Ī trade for Gay would mean Cameron Payne likely getting shipped out of OKC. Rumors have swirled around this possibility for months, and it’s scary. Without him the year of 2017 would be much much worse than 2016. Right now, the Thunder are one of the most fun teams to watch in the NBA. Victor Oladipo wouldn’t have two or three wide-open threes every game. Steven Adams isn’t an offensive threat without Westbrook throwing him alley-oops.
If the Thunder were to lose Westbrook for any extended period of time the team would fall apart almost instantaneously. Memphis, TN, USA Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles in the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.
