Report: Russell Westbrook wanted to be traded before Paul George, Clippers Move

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PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 23: Russell Westbrook, No. 0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder, manages the ball against CJ McCollum, No. 3 Portland Trail Blazers in the fifth game of the NBA playoffs on April 23 2019, at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: The user acknowledges and expressly agrees that by downloading and / or using this photograph, the user consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Compulsory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich / NBAE via Getty Images)

Sam Forencich / Getty Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder appears to be rebuilding after handling All-Star striker Paul George–who asked for an exchange–to the Los Angeles Clippers.

ESPN Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday that Thunder's leader Russell Westbrook "welcomed" the idea of an exchange elsewhere, and that Marc J. Spears, of The Undefeated, added more context when he mentioned the The jump Tuesday, the All-Star eight times was seeking to withdraw before the George deal.

"I heard that [Westbrook] wanted to get out and that PG punched him and none of them knew that the other thought so, "said Spears (2:10 point).

Westbrook played his entire 11-year career in Oklahoma City, winning the NBA MVP award in 2016-17. The former UCLA Bruin has earned an average triple-double in each of his last three seasons.

Naturally, the market for Westbrook is dynamic, with Sam Amick and Brett Dawson The Athletic report that the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets and Miami Heat are part of the mix.

As Frank Urbina of HoopsHype, speculation also connected the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks to Westbrook, although Ian Begley SNY reported that New York could not conclude a contract for the leader before December 15.

Whatever the case may be, Westbrook's mandate in the Thunder group seems to be about to end. The team has already lost two entries in George and forward Jerami Grant, who has traded with the Denver Nuggets. Making the playoffs will be a difficult task on its own, and winning a championship is much darker.

At this point, a complete reconstruction featuring Westbrook, Steven Adams and perhaps others seems inevitable. If that's the case, then Westbrook will end a sensational career in Oklahoma City.

OKC reached the NBA finals once with the score, losing to the Miami Heat in 2012, and the team took part in the playoffs in nine of its previous 10 seasons, with three spots in the final of the conference. from West. Westbrook and Kevin Durant have only played 94 games in total due to an injury in one season without playoffs. The team still finished 45-37.

Westbrook also scored 23.0 points, 8.4 assists and 7.0 rebounds in 11 years, eight NBA teams and a two-goal lead in the league.

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