Round Table Discussion: OKC Thunder at the NBA Trade Deadline
By David Ramil
Nov 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward
Wilson Chandler(21) and Denver Nuggets guard
Arron Afflalo(10) celebrate during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Is there a player being discussed in trade rumors (either linked to OKC or not) that you feel would be a good addition to the team?
Livingston: Since last offseason I thought the Thunder should make a push for Arron Affalo. He’d slide in so well as the starting shooting guard because he’s talented on both ends of the floor. In fact, he’d be the best two-way shooting guard OKC has besides Russell Westbrook. If Sam Presti can pull the trigger on this deal with a reasonable package, he has to do it.
Van Sant: Although he is a free agent and therefore not on the block, I believe the addition of Ray Allen is something the Thunder could take into the playoffs and he could provide quality minutes while draining threes in the postseason. OKC signed 3-point specialist Anthony Morrow this offseason, and while he has played well, he has also played inconsistently, often playing games where he won’t make a single shot. Allen would provide the Thunder with a three-point safety net and someone defenses cannot afford to sag off of, allowing KD, Russ, and Dion to get into the paint with ease lest they kick if out to “Jesus Shuttlesworth” for the OKC Money Ball.
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Collums: I like the Brook Lopez trade a lot, especially if it only includes Perkins and some end of the bench/second round draft assets. If I had to pick, though, I would go with Wilson Chandler as a SF that can give good minutes when KD is on the bench.
Lambert: The aforementioned Brook Lopez is probably the best guy OKC could get right now, but I’ve really fallen in love with the possibility of Ty Lawson coming off the bench. I don’t think there’s any chance that Lawson is wearing a Thunder uniform this week, but just imagine him as Reggie Jackson’s replacement on the second unit. He’s not going to take bad shots or pout like Reggie. He’s a pass first point guard who can get Waiters and Anthony Morrow the ball in the right spot and go from there. He’s also great at getting into the paint and getting easy buckets for the team. OKC could also play him at point and Westbrook at the two in crunch time, allowing Lawson to create and decision make, leaving Westbrook to get the ball and react instead of thinking.
Stephens: I believe that the best potential addition to the Thunder would be Afflalo. He has been rumored to have been on the trading block and OKC is interested. Afflalo would add veteran depth at the shooting guard/small forward position and he is a good defender that can knock down outside shots. His veteran leadership could help this young but experienced team. Afflalo could fill in for Roberson at the starting SG position and add more offense while not sacrificing defense by having him there. He would be the best addition that this team could make.
Fielder: OKC has a handful of needs, all of which could be rectified via trade. There are already a bevvy of two way wing players that are being shopped from Afflalo to Lance Stephenson. There are also plenty of offensive oriented posts such as Lopez. However, OKC’s most pressing need is to find a young backup point guard, with Reggie Jackson’s impending trade/restricted free agency looming. One such player that fits this mold is Trey Burke. Utah has already announced that both Burke and Enes Kanter are on the trade block and the Jazz seem like a team that would be more than willing to attempt to acquire a flashy point guard like Reggie Jackson that they probably wouldn’t be able attract in free agency. Burke would fit semi-seemlessly with OKC’s second unit as a slashing, pick and roll specialist who is still on his rookie deal.
Riggs: The Thunder’s biggest need is a two-way wing, and Wilson Chandler fits that role perfectly. Chandler is a good two-way player who would provide some consistent depth behind Durant at small forward. He has averaged 14 points, six rebounds and is shooting 34 percent from three. I think Oklahoma City will try to sit Durant in some games down the stretch, and Chandler is a much better option to insert in the starting lineup than Perry Jones III.
Next: Time to Trade Reggie Jackson?