The Oklahoma City Thunder have the fourth-best record in the league (54-25) and they are practically set into the third seed position in the Western Conference. They have a MVP candidate in Russell Westbrook who also repeated as the All-Star game MVP. Kevin Durant is averaging 28.1 points per game and is still one of the best scorers in the game. And yet, the Thunder are still in deep trouble.

Durant will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. If the Thunder don’t win a championship, or even get past the San Antonio Spurs in the second round, there is a good chance that Durant that will explore his options and go to a team where he can win a championship. It is only a matter of time before people begin to criticize Durant the way they used to criticize LeBron James before he won a championship.

If Durant leaves (which he will since the Thunder won’t win it all), he will be the first domino to fall. Westbrook is one of Durant’s closest friends. Although Westbrook has moments where he wants to be the top dog on the team, he is always willing to play with Durant and do whatever it takes to have a chance at winning. But once Durant leaves, Westbrook will longer have an equal who is playing with him. And if at any point that happens, Westbrook will leave since the Thunder will not even be a playoff contender.

Thunder management need to make preemptive measures before Westbrook leaves. They need to trade Westbrook and get several pieces that will ensure that the team doesn’t become the next Philadelphia 76ers. The fans won’t like it, but it has to be done since a championship isn’t on the horizon as long as the Spurs or the Golden State Warriors stay the way they are.

If Durant agrees to sign an extension before or during the playoffs, the Thunder shouldn’t trade Westbrook. But since that is unlikely to happen, a trade must be done. If Durant leaves this season and Westbrook follows in the next season, the team will be set back several years and that won’t be good for any fans of the Thunder.