Oklahoma City Looking to Add Shooter or Big Man Before Trade Deadline
The NBA is amidst its All-Star Game four-day break with the weekend’s activities ending with the Sunday afternoon All-Star Game at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
At the All Star break, the Oklahoma City Thunder is leading the Northwest division by six games over the second place Portland Trail Blazers. The Thunder with a record of 43-12 is in first place in the Western Conference and has the best record in the NBA.
The NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching and for some it is the most exciting part of the regular season. Sports writers and fans get to speculate on who will be traded and for whom.
Many of the trades speculated on and written about never take place, and others that are never considered jump up and take the spotlight.
This season the NBA is quite even without any team becoming dominant although the Thunder has won 8 of its past 10 games and has separated themselves from the other elite teams in the West.
Nevertheless, the Thunder could use help moving forward over their last 27 regular season games and into the postseason. Many sources have said the Thunder want to acquire a shooter before next Thursday’s deadline.
In addition, the Thunder could also being looking to replace or help Kendrick Perkins down low in the paint. The Thunder’s big man has not performed up to par this season. However, he has two seasons left on his current contract and that could be a stumbling block to a trade.
Oklahoma City has two trade exceptions worth $8.8 million between them. The Thunder has players like Perry Jones and Reggie Jackson who have played well and could be attractive to other teams. The Thunder can also offer the 2014 Dallas first round pick they own, if it is #21 or lower.
This season a loaded draft is expected and a first round selection at 21 or lower would still land a club a potential All-Star player in the draft.
There are many possible trades the Thunder could make to land a shooter. The Thunder could trade Thabo Sefolosha, the Mavericks pick and their first round pick in 2014 for Mike Dunleavy, Wesley Johnson and Jodie Meeks.
This would give their bench a big upgrade and land them three strong shooters. However, it would cost them one of their best if not their best defensive player and two potential first round draft picks.
Another possible trade could be trading Nick Collison, Thabo Sefolosha and their Dallas draft pick for Tristan Thompson and Earl Clark.
Thompson would make Oklahoma City stronger and bigger down low and Clark has an excellent three point shot.
There is any number of different scenarios the Thunder could do to improve their title chances this season through a trade.
Oklahoma City will also have Russell Westbrook back shortly after the All-Star break. He has missed nearly 30 games dues to a knee injury and how he assimilates back into the team will be crucial to the Thunder’s success as well.
