The Thunder need help after losing two starters to injuries. Naturally, someone asked Sam Presti about a familiar name.
As in, Russell Westbrook.
With Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace facing lengthy absences, Oklahoma City’s general manager was asked whether he would consider calling Westbrook out of retirement. Presti offered little to suggest a reunion is taking shape.
“I haven’t thought about anything relative to the roster spot,” Presti said, via Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “We have a tremendous challenge in front of us, but this is what we do and what we signed up for.”
Westbrook announced his retirement after 18 seasons, a career that made him one of the defining players in Thunder history. You can understand why his name would come up. An unexpected homecoming would certainly get Oklahoma City talking.
But nostalgia doesn’t replace two injured starters, and Presti has some basketball questions to answer.
Williams needs surgery for a dislocated left ankle and fractured fibula, while Wallace requires surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Both are expected to miss several months.
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Those absences leave the Thunder needing perimeter defense and additional offensive help alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Presti has draft picks and trade exceptions available if he decides to pursue reinforcements.
A Westbrook return would make for quite a story. Presti’s answer, though, gave Thunder fans little reason to start digging out the old jerseys just yet.
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