Thunderous Intentions
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The Oklahoma City Thunder should avoid any trade deadline deals

By Joshua Lea

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 15: Alex Abrines #8 of the OKC Thunder reacts after making a three point basket in the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 15, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 15: Alex Abrines #8 of the OKC Thunder reacts after making a three point basket in the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 15, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 3: A close up shot of Paul George #13 of the OKC Thunder during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA on January 3, 2018. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The OKC Thunder aren’t always active during the NBA trade deadline. If they do what’s best they’ll avoid making any more moves this season.

Let’s call a spade a spade here – the Oklahoma City Thunder are better than their record shows. However, many fans have lobbied for the Thunder to trade Paul George or Carmelo Anthony. Aside from those two players, you don’t really have many options. I know Thunder fans would love to see the team trade Kyle Singler for anyone, but that’s just not going to happen.

So before you plug your ideas into ESPN’s trade machine, think about this: The OKC Thunder don’t need to make trades to thrive in the playoffs. I know it’s a fun exercise, and it always provides good content for your respective Twitter pages. But it’s usually in vain. What Oklahoma City needs to do is continue building chemistry in preparation for the postseason.

The Thunder has spent the last three months with the same players. They’ve learned how to play team defense and offense, plus they even got Carmelo Anthony to take fewer shots. That alone should win Billy Donovan Coach of the Year. He’s taken three NBA All-stars, all with different games, and put them together. It may have taken 30 games, but the formula for success is apparent.

A 22-18 record doesn’t jump off the page; the Thunder aren’t as explosive as fans would like. Keep in mind, they still are beating teams like Golden State, Houston, Minnesota and San Antonio. These are teams they will see in the playoffs, not the Sacramento’s and Dallas’ of the world.

So, why make a trade now? Why risk disrupting the team chemistry this team has worked so hard to obtain? Are you really that afraid of losing Paul George to the Lakers? Is there a player out there that would propel this team further, without jeopardizing the team’s rhythm?

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Let the Thunder be and give them a fighting chance in the postseason.

If you’re still concerned with the idea that George or Anthony will jump ship after the season, remember this. The NBA has plenty of free agents worth going after that could put OKC right back where they are now. The most important thing is Russell Westbrook is a Thunder player for five more seasons. There’s no point to having a panic attack about PG or Melo – if they go, they go.

At the end of the day, the OKC Thunder have a decent team and will challenge any team in the Western Conference. Just wait for Mad Scientist Billy Donovan to unveil his super-crafty that he’s preparing for the Playoffs.

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