Westbrook’s future next hurdle for OKC with Durant leaving

Frustration with Russell Westbrook and the Thunder’s failure to develop a more fluid offense were key factors in Kevin Durant’s decision to leave Oklahoma City and sign with the Golden State Warriors, according to a source of Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck.

Durant averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in the 2015-16 season with the Thunder, returning to form as one of the NBA’s elite players following an injury-plagued year. Westbrook is a good playmaker, but he plays more like a point guard than a shooting guard, and his sometimes-awful shot selection cost the Thunder games, even in the playoffs.

Our NBA Insiders give their top four moves – while two writers argue against a trade. He takes it on, and I think he’ll take this on, as well. “That’s how it goes”. As it turns out, the star point guard may have helped push Durant out the door.

The NBA salary cap will most likely increase again next summer, so Westbrook can wait and ponder on staying with OKC or moving to another team with a more lucrative offer. He donated $1 million in disaster relief to the Red Cross in 2013 after a tornado ravaged south Oklahoma City and Moore.

Westbrook has enjoyed his pursuits in the fashion industry, which would lead to a natural synergy playing in either NY or Los Angeles, but he’s also seemed to enjoy the relative anonymity and lack of media pressure in Oklahoma City.

A source familiar with Durant’s thinking said, “Ultimately he got frustrated and felt that they had plateaued. They have always had my back unconditionally, and I can not be more grateful for what they have meant to my family and to me”. “They should not _ I can’t tell them not to be disappointed, but the one thing I would also say is the city should be incredibly proud of what they’ve helped create for the Thunder. They need to carry that on”.

Not long ago, the Thunder were up 3-1 on the Warriors in the Western Conference finals, easing Thunder fans minds about the possibility that Durant might seek greener pastures. Oklahoma City was defeated by Durant’s new team, the Warriors. Durant said last month.

“As I said before, if we were to try to Band-Aid or quick fix or impulsively try to recreate a team, I think that would probably lead us in a direction we’d be disappointed in”.