Could the Celtics land Russell Westbrook?

Russell Westbrook When Kevin Durant Left

By: Nate Scott| July 5, 2016 9:19 amFollow @aNateScott

Boston Celtics fans, if there was ever a time to get Russell Westbrook, it would be now.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been left reeling by the news that former MVP Kevin Durant will leave the team to join the Golden State Warriors, but with Russell Westbrook reportedly uninterested in signing an extension, the team needs to act fast before he becomes a free agent next summer.

Told emphatically by league source there"s no chance Russell Westbrook will do a renegotiation/extension of his contract (one yr remaining).

David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 4, 2016

The team just got a max return when they traded Serge Ibaka for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and No. 10 overall pick Donatas Sabonis. Aweek later the Thunder lost Kevin Durant and gotabsolutely nothing in return.

If they dont think they can get Westbrook back, the Thunder need to act before the trade deadline in February and the Celtics have been waiting for a moment like this.

Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

For years Danny Ainges acquisition of assets countless assets, all of the assets hasnt resulted in the superstar he wanted it to. But with a bunch of just-drafted first round talent, including No. 3 overall pick Jaylen Brown and several stashed European players, future picks (including a pick swap in nextyears draft with Brooklyn, the Nets first-round pick in 2018, and the Grizzlies first-round pick in 2019), and established talent on affordablecontracts in Avery Bradley, Jonas Jerebko, Marcus Smart and others, the Celtics have the pieces to make an offer that is extremely enticing.

If youre the Thunder, do you listen to a deal of Bradley, Jerebko, Brown, and the Nets first-round pick in 2018? Youre getting the No. 3 overall pick in this years draft, a 3-and-Dguy in Jerebko, and Bradley, who you can pair withOladipo in a new backcourt that will bedevastatingdefensively. All that anda future Nets first-rounder.

Im sure the Celtics dont want to do this, but they could alsoturn Jerebko into Jae Crowder in that same deal and then it becomes very hard for the Thunder to turn that down. (That one I actually think the Celtics would balk at. Westbrook could always leave after the season.)

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Thunder cant afford to wait too long. Westbrook could leave whatever team hes traded to, and while I dont know if the Celtics do the above trade for half a season with no guarantees they might go for it with only one year promised.

In the Eastern Conference next year, a team built around Westbrook and new signing Al Horford could make a run. It would almost guarantee the Celtics a date in the ECF with LeBron and the Cavs. Why not make it happen now?

The Thunder should trade Russell Westbrook. Here"s why.

Boston, Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook, NBA

Source: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/07/russell-westbrook-celtics-boston-thunder-trade