Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: The OKC Thunder Reunion In Brooklyn: Nets Can Trade Kyrie Irving For Russell Westbrook And Kendrick Perkins Comes Out Of Retirement
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > The OKC Thunder Reunion In Brooklyn: Nets Can Trade Kyrie Irving For Russell Westbrook And Kendrick Perkins Comes Out Of Retirement

The OKC Thunder Reunion In Brooklyn: Nets Can Trade Kyrie Irving For Russell Westbrook And Kendrick Perkins Comes Out Of Retirement

Eddie Bitar
Jan 14, 2021
4 Min Read
Share

It is impossible to not think of the 2012 Thunder when seeing James Harden reuniting with Kevin Durant on the court. After all, the two had fantastic memories together. The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, made the NBA Finals in 2012.

Contents
  • Kendrick Perkins Come Out Of Retirement
  • Kyrie Irving Swapped For Russell Westbrook

Durant was only 23 years old and Harden was 22 years old at the time, but they had the talent to get it done alongside 23-year old Russell Westbrook. While they couldn’t quite knock off a prime LeBron James and the Miami Heat, the Thunder were truly a force to appreciate.

Ok, now do Kyrie for Russ and just reunite the 2012 Thunder. @KendrickPerkins could come out of retirement for that.

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) January 13, 2021

The current Brooklyn Nets resemble the 2012 Oklahoma City Thunder team, except for a few important pieces. Here is how it can happen.

Kendrick Perkins Come Out Of Retirement

Kendrick Perkins was never a star player, but he is certainly a key component to the 2012 Thunder squad that made the Finals. Perkins was 27 years old at the time and averaged 5.1 PPG and 6.6 RPG for the squad. Even if his numbers look pedestrian on paper, Perkins was the main paint enforcer in the paint for the young Thunder. His size and presence in the post were critical to a team featuring a slender scorer like Kevin Durant.

Perkins retired in 2018, after completing a season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and has since taken over an analysts role for ESPN. But if the Brooklyn Nets want to re-create the legendary 2012 Thunder team, getting Perkins to suit up for the Nets this season is the first step. The Nets need more depth and size in the middle after losing Jarrett Allen, so they could do a lot worse than adding a former NBA champion like Kendrick Perkins for veteran leadership.

Kyrie Irving Swapped For Russell Westbrook

Credit: Getty Images

By far the best way to recreate the 2012 Thunder’s squad is trading Kyrie Irving for Russell Westbrook. Westbrook averaged 23.6 PPG for the Thunder in 2012 and that number jumped to PPG in the Finals. Since then, Westbrook has won the MVP Award in 2017 and also won 2 scoring titles. Westbrook is the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double and has yet to play in an NBA Finals since he formed a dominant trio with Durant and Harden in 2012.

Irving is a sensational player but he seems to be done with this season. Swapping Irving for Westbrook gives the Nets a triple-double threat every night and a player who will do all the little things that Jarrett Allen did. Westbrook will hustle for loose balls and fight in the paint for rebounds. Westbrook is a capable playmaker, a better one than Irving, and he will have no problem handling the ball with Durant and Harden. With Perkins and Westbrook playing with Durant and Harden again, the 2012 Thunder will be recreated except this time with 3 MVP players.

Next

‘Kyrie Didn’t Want To Be Robin For LeBron But Now He Is Alfred For KD And Harden,’ Says NBA Fan

Kevin Durant Has Been On Some Stacked Superteams

NBA Rumors: Kyrie Irving “Willing” To Sit Out The Rest Of The 2021 Season

James Harden Likes Hilarious Photo About Houston Strippers On Instagram After Being Traded To Brooklyn

How Many Championships Would Oklahoma City Thunder Have If Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, And James Harden Stayed Together

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Brooklyn Nets ArchiveJames HardenKendrick PerkinsKevin DurantKyrie IrvingRussell Westbrook
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByEddie Bitar
Eddie Bitar is a senior staff writer for Fadeaway World from Denver, Colorado. Since joining the team in 2017, Eddie has applied his academic background in economics and finance to enhance his sports journalism. Graduating with a Bachelor's degree from and later a Master's degree in Finance from Utrecht in 2018, he integrates statistical analysis into his articles. This unique approach provides readers with a deeper understanding of basketball through the lens of financial and economic concepts.Eddie's work has not only been a staple at Fadeaway World but has also been featured in prominent publications such as Sports Illustrated. His ability to break down complex data and present it in an accessible way creates an engaging and informative way to visualize both individual and team statistics. From finding the top 3 point shooters of every NBA franchise to ranking players by cost per point, Eddie is constantly finding new angles to use historical data that other NBA analysts may be overlooking.A lifelong basketball fan, Eddie grew up trying to mimic Jason Kidd's game. When asked which NBA player, past or present, he would most like to interview, Eddie's choice is clear: Jason Kidd. He admires Kidd's genius at playing point guard and his ability to lead a team to two NBA Finals appearances. Eddie believes Kidd is an underrated star who deserves more praise, and he would relish the opportunity to pick his brain and discuss the intricacies of the game.
Previous Article ‘Kyrie Didn’t Want To Be Robin For LeBron But Now He Is Alfred For KD And Harden,’ Says NBA Fan
Next Article Kobe Bryant Was Forbidden To Get Chris Paul While LeBron James And Kevin Durant Created Two Superteams In The Last 10 Years
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Feb 5, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) looks on during the third quarter against the Orlando Magic at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Brooklyn Nets Trade Rumors

NBA Trade Idea: Kings Land Nets Center To Provide Domantas Sabonis With Support In Frontcourt

October 3, 2025
Houston Rockets Trade Rumors

Russell Westbrook Likes Rockets IG Photo With Kevin Durant, Steven Adams; Big Reunion Upcoming?

October 3, 2025
Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Seth Curry Admits He Didn’t Want To Team Up With Stephen Curry Until Now

October 3, 2025
Sep 29, 2025; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets player Nikola Jokic (15) takes questions during media day at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Denver Nuggets News & Analysis

Nikola Jokic Remains Loyal To The Nuggets Despite Not Signing An Extension This Summer

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?