In response to Tom Penn's analysis that Kevin Durant has become an expendable player due to Russell Westbrook's recent performances, Oklahoma City Thunder Sam Presti fired back, saying that it would be ludicrous if he did so.

In an article for bleacherreport.com, Penn indicated that Westbrook was on a roll. He had been able to rack up five consecutive triple-doubles, with one performance scoring as high as 49 points.

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Vince Carter was the only other player in NBA history to make 45 points, 15rebounds, and 10 assists in a game over the past 30 seasons. Finally, the only other player to churn out triple-doubles consistently is the great Michael Jordan.

For these reasons, Penn believes that superstar Durant is in danger of being traded in favor of keeping Westbrook on as the force of nature he is in now that he is in control of the team.

Penn pointed out that Presti proved how he does not want to lose anybody for nothing. He identified the James Harden trade to the Houston Rockets as a way to avoid a potential luxury tax problem now.

Also, Durant has not given an early commitment to the Thunder. For Penn, all of these signs point to a potential trade.

Presti, though is not on the same page as Penn, responding through The Herd with Colin Cowherd.

In his response, he dispelled any notion that Durant could be traded before his contract expires. He calls the thought "ludicrous," indicating that there is no way to measure what Durant represent to the organization and on the floor.

To drive the point home, Presti adds that after Durant has played for the organization, there will be streets named after him throughout the state.

In a January interview with NBA.com's David Aldrige, Durant seemed to echo these notions, saying that he loved playing Oklahoma City.

The only thing that remains to be seen is whether Westbrook will continue to exhibit the skill and talent he has consistently shown when Durant returns.

TagsOKC, OKC Thunder, Sam Presti, Tom Penn, Kevin Durant