The Oklahoma City Thunder is doing just fine in the ongoing NBA season. Holding an 11-8 record, they are currently at the 6th spot in the highly competitive Western Conference division with superstar Russell Westbrook leading the team. But what could have happened if Westbrook didn't sign the contract extension with the Thunder and opted to join Carmelo Anthony in New York Knicks?
Westbrook and Kevin Durant form a formidable tandem in Oklahoma that leads the Thunder to multiple playoff appearances. But when Durant decides to leave the team and join the Golden State Warriors in the offseason, Westbrook was left out in cold. Russ has the option to leave but instead, he signed a 3-year, $85.5 million contract extension with the Thunder.
But in recent NBA news, Carmelo Anthony have expressed his reaction about a supposed transfer of Westbrook to the New York Knicks. According to UPROXX, even after the trade which brought Derrick Rose to the Knicks, a possibility that Russell Westbrook could join them was looming last July as he has the option to opt out and be with an another team.
It appears that situation gave Melo some hope that Russ might choose to the Knicks as his new home. However, as history happens, Westbrook stay put and continue to be the main man for the Thunder. In a recent interview, Melo said that he now fully understand why Russ stayed with the OKC.
Melo said that Russ only shows his loyalty with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He said, "I can tell that he was waiting for a moment like this where he could go shine,'' Anthony said. "He wanted to be the leader of that team, regardless of if KD came back or not. He wanted that moment. You could just tell that his vibe was different, his energy was different. You could tell when people want those moments."
In a report by Believe The Hype, aside from the Knicks, Russ is also said to be contemplating on heading to his hometown Los Angeles but he plainly dedicated his future in OKC and help the team move forward even without Durant.
But in the NBA, anything can happen. Maybe one day, Russell Westbrook might leave the Oklahoma City Thunder and join Carmelo Anthony in New York if things don't pan out in OKC. Stay tuned to the latest NBA rumors and updates.
