On Monday night, just as Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook was claiming his first-ever NBA MVP Award, new reports surfaced that he could be on the trading block. Before OKC fans become too upset, the rumors are just that, based on the fact that Westbrook will have a player option coming up for the 2018-19 NBA season.

Basically, the Thunder will want to avoid a similar situation as what happened with former Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant, who left in free agency to join the Golden State Warriors last season. Here are the latest details on the Russell Westbrook situation.

The latest report

It was reported by CBS Sports' Jack Maloney on Monday night that the Thunder will still have Russell Westbrook under contract for next season. However, he has that player option in his contract for the 2018-19 NBA season that he can opt out of. Oklahoma City will want to avoid what Kevin Durant did to them when he left in free agency last summer and joined the Warriors to win his first NBA Championship. The feeling is that the Thunder doesn't want Westbrook to do the same thing, leaving them with nothing in return if he leaves.

As of July 1st, the Oklahoma City Thunder can offer Westbrook a hefty deal to try to keep him on the team. Basically, under the league's new collective bargaining agreement, the team can offer him a huge "Designated Player Extension" deal estimated at over $200 million for five years.

If they give Westbrook that "supermax" deal and he signs the extension, it would make him the highest-paid player in the NBA.

If Westbrook decides not to sign that extension, it could be a strong indicator that he plans to test free agency for the 2018-19 NBA season. That could be what forces the Thunder to put him on the trading block as they may not have many other options.

However, another consideration is that the team could look towards signing another free agent this summer to help out Westbrook on the struggling roster.

NBA MVP winner

On Monday night, Russell Westbrook was officially named the 2016-17 NBA MVP Award winner. The OKC guard averaged a triple-double this past season with his points, assists, and rebounds all in double-digit averages.

In addition, he broke Oscar Robertson's longtime record for most triple-doubles recorded in a single season. He was also able to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to the NBA Playoffs in a season after Kevin Durant had departed from the lineup.

Westbrook edged out his former OKC teammate James Harden, who is now with the Rockets, as well as the San Antonio Spurs' Kawhil Leonard to win the award. He also joins his former teammate Kevin Durant was a recent winner of the award in the past five years.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED