OKC Thunder trade Morrow, Lauvergne, Payne acquire Doug McDermott, Taj Gibson

OKC Thunder trade Cameron Payne, Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow for Chicago’s Doug McDermott, Taj Gibson and Bulls 2018 second round draft pick.

As the NBA Trade Deadline drew to a close the OKC Thunder trade news heated up. Rumors spread as the clock neared the deadline GM Sam Presti was about to pull off a major trade. Over the course of the hour the players coming to OKC remained the same, but the Thunder players varied.

Related: OKC Thunder Trade Deadline Rumors- Gibson, McDermott on Presti’s radar

Initially news said Cameron Payne and Andre Roberson were headed to Chicago.  Adam Joseph, EIC of Sixteen Wins A Ring got all Thunder fans excited at the prospect of adding these Bulls into the mix, but the loss of Roberson was scary given how much he adds defensively.

Then it switched to Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow as per Shams Charania:

Then it looked like three players were exiting in Cameron Payne, Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow. In the end this final tweet spelled it out including a second round pick coming to the OKC  Thunder.

Thunder land depth and Presti shows he still has rabbits in his magic hat:

The big return is Doug McDermott and Taj Gibson who bring assets the OKC Thunder desperately desired.

Anthony Morrow:

Anthony Morrow leaves OKC having played the leadership role. This perhaps due to his production regressing this season. In 15.7 minutes per game this season, the previous touted sharpshooter Morrow averaged 5.8 points (39 percent from the field, 29 percent from three). Morrow contributed less than 1 rebound, assist, steal, and block per contest as well.

Cameron Payne:

Also leaving is Cameron Payne which speaks to the fact obviously there will be a return of Semaj Christon to the line-up without another viable backup to Russell Westbrook. Or Presti, who now has an open roster spot could look to add a veteran point guard.

Payne has played a mere 20 games this season, yet his presence was considered crucial in terms of ball movement. Without Payne there will be an emphasis on Christon creating for other players.

In those 20 games Payne averaged 5.3 points on 33 percent from the field, 30 percent from deep and 100 percent from the line in 16 minutes. Additionally, Payne provided 1.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, .6 steals,  and 1 block.

Joffrey Lauvergne:

The odd man out of the OKC Thunder big men, Joffrey Lauvergne. He’s experienced inconsistent minutes off the bench this season, including several DNP-CD’s. In 14.8 minutes a game, Lauvergne has averaged 5.6 points per game (46 percent from the floor, 35 percent from three, and 63 percent from the charity stripe) , in addition to 3.7 rebounds a game.

OKC Thunder Player Additions:

Coming to the OKC Thunder are two players who seemingly fit their needs to add veteran grit and a player who could spread the floor while offering sharp shooting from deep.  Furthermore, the OKC Thunder trade also nets them a second round 2018 pick from the Bulls.

Taj Gibson:

Taj Gibson offers a versatile big who can be paired beside Steven Adams in the starting lineup or come off the bench to align with Enes Kanter. Gibson has averaged 11.6 points (on 52 percent from the field), in addition to 7 rebounds, 1 assist, .5 steals, and .9 blocks in 27.3 minutes off the bench for the Chicago Bulls thus far this season.

Perhaps most exciting is the playoff experience and veteran leadership Gibson can offer the Thunder youngsters. Moreover, imagining the toughness of Adams and Gibson in the paint offers reason for teams to think twice about driving against the Thunder.

Doug McDermott:

As for Doug McDermott his role will likely be to provide floor spacing and essential perimeter scoring. Since Andre Roberson was not part of the deal the assumption is Dougie McBuckets will provide scoring depth off the bench.

Doug McDermott has averaged 10.2 points per game (44 percent from the field, 38 percent from deep, and 88 percent from the stripe), in addition to 3 rebounds and an assist per game in 24.5 minutes off the bench for the Bulls.

With three players headed to Chicago that opens a roster spot which presumably would have  Presti looking for a veteran point guard to fill.

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• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Stick with Thunderous Intentions as the writing team quantify what this trade means to the Thunder. That is, after the TI team stop current celebrations over the fact Sam Presti remains the magician many on staff believed him to be.