Kevin Durant is at a crossroads. (Keith Allison/Flickr)

The masked menace has been putting on a show, making even the best defenders look like amateurs. He recently came off a five game triple-double streak, which would make Oscar Robertson blush with the Thunder point guard’s recent performances. Westbrook is capable of getting a triple double almost any night. This season, his play has been unmatched by his peers, and he is on course to obtain his first most valuable player award.  

But what about last year’s most valuable player, Kevin Durant? The rumor mill has been churning, and many believe that trading Durant is the best option for the Thunder. 

After all, Durant is out for the remainder of the season with a foot injury. Some think the Thunder might as well cash out and trade him away. 

The idea of trading Kevin Durant is ludicrous. Surely the Thunder are wiser than that. Durant is a transcendent player who has proved for years that he is the one of the best players in the NBA. 

As of now, Westbrook is the best player in the NBA. One only has to look at Westbrook’s stat line of 27.6 points, 8.6 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game. Impressive numbers, yes, but it is going to be exceptionally hard to continually play at such a high level when he is the only star on the team at the moment.

This isn’t a video game. Westbrook will eventually come down to earth, and people will remember he isn’t even the best player on his team. 

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Durant is the reigning MVP. Kevin Durant is Batman. Russell Westbrook is Robin, and Batman is out of commission at the moment. Just last year, Durant averaged 32 points a game and 7 rebounds. A team doesn’t replace production like that ever. Durant cannot be contained when he catches on fire. He is either the first or second best player in the world when he is healthy.

Why would a team trade an irreplaceable player?

Outside of LeBron James, there is no reason for the Thunder to trade for any other player, players, or draft pick. Getting a few extra pieces is not going to replace a Superstar. Yes, the Thunder have two superstars, but if a team wants to win a championship, two is the bare minimum of elite players needed. Think about all the teams that have won multiple NBA championships: the Bulls, Lakers, Heat, and Spurs. These past title-winning teams had players such as Jordan and Pippen, Shaq and Kobe, Lebron and Wade, Parker and Duncan. Teams that win have two or more elite players. 

Sure, one might argue that if Durant is traded to somewhere like Washington, Oklahoma City can build around a nucleus containing the likes of Westbrook, Bradley Beal and Marcin Gortat as well as a few role players. Is that team honestly going to be more effective than a pairing of Durant and Westbrook? Absolutely not. The NBA is a star-powered league. Getting rid of Durant is not going to help the Thunder’s cause.  

Additionally, people might say Oklahoma City has not been able to get the job done yet. Although this is true, we have never seen Westbrook play this well. Westbrook has always been fantastic, but he is unreal right now. Imagine if Westbrook could play at, or near this level with the addition of Durant. Think of how unstoppable this combination could be if Durant and Westbrook both play at a high level. All it takes to win a championship is for certain players to catch fire at the right time.  

It’s blasphemous to entertain the thought of trading Durant, the reigning league MVP. The Thunder will not be better off trading one of the best players in the league for a couple of good players. 

Reach Staff Reporter Bradford Evans here.