Round Table Discussion: OKC Thunder at the NBA Trade Deadline

May 3, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder mascot Rumble the Bison before the start of game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo J. Adams-USA TODAY Sports

"The NBA Trade Deadline is scheduled for February 19, 2015. The OKC Thunder are reportedly very active in trying to improve their roster. Whether a change takes place or not, the Thunderous Intentions staff answered some questions about what could happen in the next few days."

Reports indicate that the Thunder and Brooklyn Nets are actively discussing trade options, presumably for Brook Lopez. Is Lopez a good move for the Thunder and is he a key to a championship?

Sam Livingston (@samkamo): As strange as it sounds, I am one of the few Kendrick Perkins supporters. I think he has so much value as a teammate as well as if/when OKC runs into Memphis or Houston in the playoffs. Steven Adams is great but he isn’t the technically-sound post defender that Perk is. Perkins is actually the x-factor that allows the Thunder to play so well against Memphis because he so effectively limits their bigs offensively. Brook Lopez would be a tremendous fit offensively but I think he could cripple them by giving too many baskets up in the post.

J.M. Van Sant (@RTFans_): If OKC could get Lopez without sending back too much in return, he would be a fantastic addition to the team. In the entire Thunder era, they have lacked a real low-post threat. Lopez would allow the team to slow down the pace of the game and score some points down low If they are in need of an easy basket.

Zach Collums (@ZachCollums): Lopez is a great trade for the Thunder, especially with the injury to Adams. Perkins, unfortunately, is not the answer long-term for the Thunder at the center position. Neither is Nick Collison or Serge Ibaka. OKC needs a 7-footer who can score around the basket but also take mid-range shots so the lane is not as clogged when Russ and KD run to the rim. Lopez’s foot issue is a bit concerning, but I don’t think the Thunder can afford to give up another 7-foot center because of a possible injury (see: Tyson Chandler). I don’t know if this is the move that puts the Thunder in the championship because there are so many different factors: coaching, star play, bench play, injuries of other team’s players. But it send OKC in the right direction

Jeremy Lambert (@jeremylambert88): Lopez, when healthy, is still one of the best scoring centers in the league. OKC has never had a post-dominant player on their roster so the addition of Lopez would definitely give them a new dynamic to work with. On paper, it seems like a fantastic move, but who knows how it would work out on the court. Will Scott Brooks utilize him correctly? Will Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant be willing to give up shots so Lopez gets his touches? Lopez coming off the bench, when Steven Adams is healthy and returns as the starter, would be a huge boost to their bench scoring and if he can find some chemistry with Dion Waiters, it would give OKC a 1-2 second unit that most teams would kill to have. I don’t think he’s the key to a championship, but he definitely wouldn’t hurt.

Jerry Stephens (@JR_Steph23): Lopez would be the ideal piece for the Oklahoma City Thunder. For years the team has needed a low post presence on the offensive end if the floor. Ibaka is basically a stretch four and doesn’t have much of a low post game. Lopez is one of the best centers in the league when healthy but that’s the only problem, him actually staying healthy. Lopez is exactly what this team needs to contend for a championship now. If OKC can move Perk, Reggie, and maybe one more piece for Lopez then it would be a perfect move.

Jake Fielder (@reddsix): In a vaccuum, yes, adding a player the caliber of  Lopez would be a great addition for the Thunder. Especially if the players that Oklahoma City is looking to give up are players along the lines of Perkins, Jeremy Lamb, or Mitch McGary. The fit is a little iffy as Lopez represents another ball-stopper on offense and has never been a real good rim protector so there is a chance that Lopez further exacerbates some present problems. However, some of his deficiencies can be masked by featuring Lopez within more offense-deficient units and ensuring that he plays alongside a solid defensive post, such as Adams or Ibaka. Assuming Coach Brooks recognizes and attempts to mask these weaknesses, it would be a good move for the Thunder.

Evan Riggs (@EvanRiggs15): It is hard to call a center who is averaging 15 points and six rebounds a bad trade, but I don’t think it’s what the Thunder really need. Lopez is a proven scorer, but he does his work in the post. When Durant and Westbrook are healthy, the Thunder do not struggle to score. Can you picture them throwing the ball to Lopez in the post to enough to warrant absorbing his contract of $17 million? I can’t. Oklahoma City needs to add a good two-way player, and Lopez does not fit that mold. I would rather see the Thunder go after a free agent this summer instead of a guy who is one foot injury of maybe being out of the league.

Next: Who Should the Thunder Trade For?