A 1996 classic, Independence Day’s sequel Resurgence lays profound credence to a long held belief, a sequel is never better than an original. True; Resurgence is anything but the original but somewhere in Oklahoma, particularly the Chesapeake Center, the end of the world is nigh.
The aliens have attacked Oklahoma prying away Kevin Durant to Oracle Arena. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green descended from their spaceship to do damage but General Manager Bob Myers and Consultant Jerry West manned the controls. It’s safe to admit the NBA’s major free agency years will ever be without drama.
2000, Tracy McGrady left Canada for Orlando to team up with Grant Hill, 2010 was the turn of LeBron James who joined 2003 Draft mates Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh at the Miami Heat following his famous televised “Decision”. What followed is legendary stuff; lots of folks burning King James jersey, tearing down his enormous life size banner and cursing his name out repeatedly.
It even caused owner Dan Gilbert to write his infamous letter where he stated Cleveland Cavaliers would win a championship before LeBron does. We all know that did not happen as Cleveland soon turned into a sorry state as James won two titles down south but both buried the hatchet to capture a first ever NBA title for the Cavaliers just a month ago.
As James became public enemy numero uno with his decision, Kevin Durant’s decision to sign a five year contract with Oklahoma City Thunder made him the ultimate symbol of loyalty. Fast forward six years and oh how the tables have turned. James is America’s biggest darling or best father if you wish after leading Cleveland to make history as the first team to win a Finals Series from a 1-3 deficit against Golden State Warriors on Fathers Day. Topping Warriors record breaking 73 wins in the regular season and unanimous Most Valuable Player Steph Curry in the process, brought down the hate altars mounted since 2010. Curry has had his share of flack since his relative poor showing in the finals but all that has been swept under the carpet with Kevin Durant’s decision on July 4-America’s Independence Day- to leave Oklahoma for Oakland.
However, in 1996, Will Smith led the charge for Earth’s freedom. 20years later, earth or America I should say, spews out the aliens with Liam Hermsworth in the cockpit. In real life, this is not happening unless of course you are in Oklahoma. Durant’s decision to leave Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC) after nine seasons forging a dynamic relationship with Russell Westbrook leaves the team in dire straits and a murky future to contend with.
Much praise has been heaped at the doorstep of Manager Sam Presti who has cleverly engineered deals to make the Thunder an eternal championship contender since 2010. His maverick negotiating and trading skills will be tested far beyond anything he’s ever encountered. Should he deal Westbrook for an attractive package or stand pat and see Russell without his buddy Durant walk away after the upcoming season as a free agent?
Dealing Westbrook to say, Los Angeles Lakers seems a great choice as it allows OKC to rebuild without being outright bad. Westbrook is a Californian through and through spending his entire life in the state including his two year stint at the University of California-Los Angeles. His wild nature and befitting sense of style fits amorously with the glitz and glamour of Tinsel town which, by the way, is still searching for Kobe Bryant’s replacement. The Point Guard will be one of the most sought after players in 2017 when he becomes eligible to sign for any team in the league and that’s what makes him the best trade chip if OKC does not want to see two foundation players leave in two straight years.
Taking him to a rebuilding Lakers side will come with a handsome reward likely to look like Jordan Clarkson, Lou Williams and D’Angelo Russell or Brandon Ingram and Williams. Nike surely will be in the mood to force this move through since none of its A-List signees are in the world’s second largest media market. LeBron and Kyrie rule the north in Cleveland, Durant is heading to Oakland and San Francisco in the future and fellow Nike signees Blake Griffin and Chris Paul do not have a custom made shoe line.
Westbrook does have a shoe line and the swoosh company will be damned not have him step in Kobe’s footprint. Leaving Westbrook to see out his contract is a risky move having seen how many free agents have changed settings in recent years. Plus without Durant and Serge Ibaka-traded to Orlando Magic-two seasons ago, Westbrook failed to push OKC into the playoffs with little quality around him and that’s got to be telling on his next move.
Either way OKC is doomed to tumble in the perking order. Trade Westbrook for future picks and you lose instant contender status. Let Westbrook see out his contract and walk as a free agent next year and its’ doomsday pure and simple.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
