Blakely On Toucher & Rich: Westbrook Is Celtics' Best Chance At 'Big Splash' This Summer
BOSTON (CBS) -- There is still some hope that Danny Ainge can work some magic on the trade market and light off those fireworks Celtics fans have been hoping for the last two seasons.
The rumors are aplenty these days, though many of them remain just rumblings on social media. CSNNE's Celtics insider A. Sherrod Blakely joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich on Tuesday morning to sort through the mess, and believes Boston's best shot at making a "big splash" this offseason is Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, who would certainly carry a hefty price tag and a lot of risk for Ainge.
"It's no secret that Danny is big game hunting. He's trying to get the biggest and best names available. I think the best shot of the names we talked about is getting a guy like Russell Westbrook. You know Oklahoma City doesn't want to get burned twice in less than a year in letting a superstar player go and getting nothing in return," said Sherrod, noting the Thunder are one of the best teams at maximizing the value of their draft picks. "The Celtics can help Oklahoma City in that regard. If you're talking about giving up that Brooklyn pick next year for Russell Westbrook, I think you do it. I don't even think you even hesitate.
"You want to make a big splash, and he is the best shot you have at doing that this offseason," said Blakely. "That is a needle-mover. He is going to make you better on so many levels."
Westbrook is set to become a free agent at the end of next season, so the Celtics would likely try to get something long-term done before pulling off any trade.
"You have to get something similar to when you traded for Kevin Garnett, where you knew that when you made the trade he wasn't going to just bolt. You have to get something done with Russell Westbrook that makes it clear he is in this for the long haul," said Sherrod. "Otherwise, it doesn't make sense to get a one-year rental when you're a team that isn't on the cusp of a championship."
There are reports that Westbrook, who went to UCLA, really wants to join the Los Angeles Lakers, but Blakely isn't buying it.
"As much as he would love to be back in L.A., he wants to win, and that L.A. team just sucks. If he joins them they're still not going to be much better, and if they add another piece, they're still not good enough to win in the West," he said. "He wants to be in a situation where he can win and win at a high level, and if that situation isn't Oklahoma City and he looks elsewhere, you better believe Boston will be on the his short list."
Listen to the full interview below, including Sherrod's thoughts on Jaylen Brown's performance in the Summer League and why he isn't a fan of the Celtics trying to trade for Blake Griffin: