Former Portland Trail Blazers executive Tom Penn believes the Oklahoma City Thunder might consider trading Kevin Durant next season, but general manager Sam Presti played down speculation about the future of the reigning Most Valuable Player.

Penn said in an interview that the emergence of Russell Westbrook as an all-around player this season might make the Thunder more open to dealing Durant next season instead of losing him for nothing in the summer of 2016.

Westbrook, the Thunder starting point guard, has been on a tear as of late as he has averaged 33.2 points to go along with 11.1 assists and 10.7 rebounds per game over their last nine games.

Durant, who has only played in 27 games this season due to an ailing foot, remains a critical factor, though, as his absence this season is hurting the Thunder, who are currently in ninth place in the Western Conference standings with their 35-29 record.

However, Penn is still convinced the Thunder will eventually look to deal Durant, who will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2016, similar to the decision to trade James Harden to the Houston Rockets in 2012.

"I think this burst from Westbrook makes it much more likely that Durant ultimately gets traded next year," Penn said the interview. "Sam Presti has proven that he does not ever want to lose anybody for nothing. So he traded James Harden a year early to avoid a potential luxury tax problem a year later."

Responding to the statement made by Penn, Presti reiterated that they will not even think of trading Durant, pointing out that the 26-year-old superstar means a lot to their organization.

"It's ludicrous to assert that we would trade Kevin," Presti told Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman. "There's no way to measure what he represents to our organization on and off the floor. He has helped build this organization from the ground up and personifies the Thunder: past, present and future."

Presti added that he envisions Durant spending his entire career in Oklahoma and will always be remembered not only for his exploits on the hardcourt, but also for his impact in the community.

"When he's done playing there will be streets named after him throughout the state and younger generations of Oklahomans will learn about the role Kevin has played in elevating this community in ways beyond basketball," Presti added.

Durant, who is averaging 25.4 points to go along with 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game this season, is expected to remain on the sideline for the next two weeks due to his recurring foot injury.

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