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OKC Thunder: Matt’s Monday Musings, Edition Three

By Matthew Hallett

Jan 16, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; OKC Thunder general manager Sam Presti watches college basketball between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Oklahoma Sooners at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; OKC Thunder general manager Sam Presti watches college basketball between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Oklahoma Sooners at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 24, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) hands the ball to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Doug McDermott (25) in action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) hands the ball to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Doug McDermott (25) in action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Unbalanced trade off:

With all due respect to Payne, Morrow and Lauvergne, they were not producing.

Morrow was shooting  29 percent from three. The one skill that he had to sell himself on and he was just not good this season. He was coming off contract at the end of the season. With Alex Abrines in the squad, Morrow would not have been re-signed by the Thunder.

RELATED CONTENT:  Weighing the pros and cons of losing Andre Roberson

Payne is a player that I wanted to see more from. He was a lottery pick and had all the confidence in the world. Unfortunately his development was stunted last year by the Randy Foye disaster.

This year he was injured prior to the season and never got his game back. He was the only player traded who had time left on his contract. In my humble opinion, this was the main reason the deal was finalized. The Bulls need a point guard for the future, Payne needs to play more.

Unfortunately, he does not help the Bulls issues from three, shooting just 32 percent from deep.

Unfortunately his development was stunted last year by the Randy Foye disaster.

Lauvergne was a player that I wanted more from. He was a little too three-point happy Of the 244 shots he took in his time playing for the Thunder, 78 of them were from three. He made 27 of those 78 for a 35 percent clip but it was not enough.

Lauvergne received too many DNP – CD’s for a man playing for his next contract. His defense was passable. He did not use his size to his advantage. He offered very little rim protection and therefore could not be played with Enes Kanter much.

The Payoff

In return, the Thunder picked up two players that filled glaring needs in their system. Even though they already have four small forwards, McDermott is a welcome addition. He is a three point specialist who is hitting his looks. Within the Bull’s system (which was not ideally spaced for three point shooters), McDermott was connecting on 38 percent of his attempts.

This is a down year for McDermott who played with Derrick Rose the year before. With Rose creating space for McDermott he was able to hit 43 percent of his looks from deep. Russell Westbrook is a better penetrator and passer. McDermott will be wide open in the corner, a lot. Word to the wise, he is hitting just under 41 percent from the corners this year.

MUST READ: Doug McDermott Player Profile

I can see McDermott and Abrines splitting time on the court. This will always give the OKC Thunder a viable three point option on the floor.

I am even more excited about the other player involved in this trade. I have been a huge Gibson fan for years. Not only do I love his game, I love his presence. During the tumultuous times in Chicago, Gibson has been the one constant. He has been the voice heard in the locker room when all others were being drowned out.

His voice will join the chorus of Westbrook and Nick Collison, steering this young Thunder team in the right direction.

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