Russell Westbrook
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
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Russell Westbrook Denies Rumors He Wants To Play For The Lakers

Ryan Ward NBA News
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

At this time of the year, NBA rumors start to kick into high gear. The NBA trade deadline is less than a week away (Feb. 18), and teams around the league begin to think about the long-term future or make a run to the playoffs in a few months time.

Over the next year and a half, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be one the few title contending teams in the NBA in a must-win situation. Superstar Kevin Durant will become an unrestricted free agent in July and a year later Russell Westbrook will be the top free agent on the open market.

Along with all the rumors circulating about Durant potentially leaving the Thunder this summer, Westbrook has also been surrounded by some rumors about his future as well. Westbrook, along with Durant, was rumored to be considering signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. Westbrook recently downplayed the notion that he’d return to the city of Los Angeles to play for the storied franchise via Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman:

Although Durant’s future will be determined in a few months, there’s still a lot of time before Westbrook makes up his mind about whether he’ll stay or leave Oklahoma City. Obviously, Westbrook is going to say he’s staying with the Thunder with another year left on his contract following the 2015-16 NBA season.

If Durant does decide to leave Oklahoma City, and there’s a decent chance that happens if Oklahoma City doesn’t win a title this year, Westbrook may no longer be all that fond of the Thunder organization. The perennial All-Star may very well test the free-agent market with the Lakers more than likely be a team attempting to sign the former UCLA star.

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