Thunderous Thoughts: Quick trade deadline primer
Welcome to Thunderous Thoughts, your weekly look at the OKC Thunder. This week, I’m pressed for time.
I typically hate doing nothing but thoughts versions of Thunderous Thoughts, but I’m in a time crunch this week due my personal life getting in the way. It’s why you’re reading this column on a Saturday instead of the usual Thursday slot. The odd part is I vacillated between two ideas and finished both so you get a double dose of TT this week.
Granted you got them on Friday and Saturday and moving forward you’ll find the column shifting to Friday instead of Thursday.
*It was was nice to see Andre Roberson back. His defense was missed during his eight-game absence and they need him for Saturday’s game against the Cavaliers. I know Cleveland is in a bit of a slump right now, but this is a big game for the Thunder and a real test of where they’re at right now.
*A lot of trade rumors swirling and the Thunder are expected to be a player on the market. Let’s start by saying that Paul George isn’t going anywhere. Sam Presti didn’t acquire George just to trade him at the deadline. He acquired George to attempt to win a title this year and, at the very least, convince him to stay. Things have not always been pretty, but we know the ceiling this team has. They don’t reach that ceiling by dealing George for 75 cents to the Lakers, unless it’s known ahead of time that he’s leaving with 100 certainty.
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*The Thunder are all-in this season. That means they’re going to make an all-in trade. Marco Belinelli’s name has popped up. I like Belinelli’s shooting, but that shooting means nothing if he doesn’t get the shots and his defense makes him unplayable. Alex Abrines is a great shooter, but he’s nearly useless if guys aren’t finding him for shots and teams always attack him defensively. Belinelli is obviously an upgrade, but what’s the point if he’s not going to be used to his full ability?
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*Some fans are hoping for Lou Williams. That seems like a pipe dream to me, but I would not doubt Presti.
Unfortunately, the Clippers are competing for a playoff spot and likely don’t want to give the appearance that they are waving the white flag on the season by dealing Williams. I’d argue that being in the lottery is better than getting swept by the Warriors.
*Williams would be the case scenario for the Thunder. But the better scenario would be for them to figure out the bench unit. The all bench unit only clicks when Raymond Felton remembers he is the best point guard in the league.
The Paul George unit has consistently failed. I still believe that getting Carmelo Anthony out there against opposing benches is the ideal situation, but I understand him potentially falling back into his ISO ways.
*Anyone else feeling resigned to the fifth seed? The Timberwolves have shown no signs of slowing down and it’s unlikely the Spurs plummet, even without Kawhi Leonard. This feels like Billy Donovan’s first season where the regular season is a drag, but the team finds a new gear in the playoffs.
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*Let’s just hope things don’t end quite the same way.