OKC Thunder: Not Your Usual End-of-Season Awards
By David Ramil
Mar 28, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) reacts from the bench area during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Best Roster Move Winner: Acquiring Enes Kanter
The franchise has developed a (well-earned) reputation for standing pat at key roster-building moments. They don’t get the big free agent nor do they pull off a huge trade. But that wasn’t the case this year, when they retooled their roster and made a major move at the trade deadline to change the composition of the roster completely.
Stephens: Trading for Enes Kanter – He was easily the best roster move made by the Thunder. He had 17 double doubles with thunder in 26 games and he averaged 18.7 PPG, 11 RPG, all while having a PER of 24.9. He instantly impacted the Thunder this season and almost helped push them into the playoffs. He will also be a building block and an important player for seasons to come if OKC can re-sign him.
Van Sant: Signing Anthony Morrow – Morrow was a knockdown sparkplug this season for Oklahoma City. Just imagine him next season getting wide-open kick out passes from Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Ramil: Trading Reggie Jackson: If the reports are true, then his negativity would have derailed this season completely. The trade was a case of addition by subtraction.
Woods: Getting Enes Kanter – I don’t love his defense, but Kanter is one of the best post players in the league. Getting him for Reggie Jackson and Kendrick Perkins is a steal.
Lambert: Signing Anthony Morrow – He was great after the All-Star break this year. He’ll be even better next year with Kevin Durant healthy.
Riggs: Acquring Enes Kanter- Kanter gave Oklahoma City a dimension that they have never had before: a low post scorer. Kanter averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds per game with the Thunder, which gave them some much needed scoring without Durant and Ibaka much of the second half of the season. His defense was bad, but it will be less noticeable when Ibaka is around to clean up his mess next year.
Next: Best Game of the Year?