NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Russell Westbrook, Marcin Gortat and More

To trade or not to trade? With the big wave of free-agency signings over, several teams are now gauging the player-swapping market in order to assemble their best possible rosters for the 2016-17 season and beyond. 

A lot of recent rumors on the trade front have concerned players not leaving their original teams, but even that news is significant. A team’s decision to keep a player impacts both itself and the other squads that are looking to acquire him.

Let’s break down some recent trade buzz on Russell Westbrook, Marcin Gortat and the Boston Celtics’ never-ending pursuit of asset movement.

Russell Westbrook

Speculation of Westbrook’s unhappiness in Oklahoma City with the Thunder has been running rampant ever since Kevin Durant chose to leave town for the Golden State Warriors. The buzz made pretty good sense, since Durant’s departure downgrades the Thunder from title contender to presumed mid-tier playoff team.

However, according to Anthony Slater of the Oklahoman, the superstar point guard isn’t discouraged with his situation at all. Slater wrote: “Westbrook has given the Thunder no indication that he currently wants out. To the contrary, one source described him as ticked off about the Kevin Durant departure, determined for this new challenge and eager for the season to start: ‘He’s ready.'”

This position from Westbrook actually seems consistent with his personality, since he can be the alpha dog in the absence of Durant. …

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