NBA Trades: 3 Reasons why OKC Thunder should trade Russell Westbrook 

#1 His contract is too large

Westbrook signed an extension in 2017

Westbrook's contract could potentially hinder the Thunder's rebuild.

In 2017, Westbrook signed a five-year, $205 million extension with the Thunder. At the moment, Westbrook has four years and $170 million remaining on his deal. This is a large salary for a player, especially one whose shooting percentages decreased last season. While he still averaged a triple-double and a career-high in assists and rebounds, his points dropped. His shooting struggles forced him to take a backseat, and Paul George became the Thunder's first option.

In 2019-20, Westbrook will have a base salary of $38,506,482. For a team in the Thunder's position, a large salary such as Westbrook's is a burden. Westbrook is 30 years old, and by the final year of his contract, he will be 33 years old. Then, he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2023 at the age of 34. In the final year of his contract, Westbrook has a base salary of $47,063,478. He also has a player option if he decides to opt out.

So, Westbrook's contract is expensive and makes it difficult to move him.

If the Thunder find a suitor willing to take on the contract, the Thunder gain a bit of flexibility to make moves and potentially sign young players to add to their rebuild.

The Thunder also had a large contract in Paul George. In 2018, George signed a four-year, $137 million deal. This deal was not as large as Westbrook's but put the Thunder in a tight space. They moved George and his contract and now have a chance to move Westbrook's. So, it is worth a try.

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Russell Westbrook is a talented player. Despite the Thunder's up and down playoff runs, he stayed loyal to the team. But all good things come to an end. The change will benefit both Westbrook and the Thunder, and the perfect time is now. All it takes is the right deal.