Thunder in the News: Trade Deadline Day is here

Sam Presti’s favorite day of the year is here. But will he make a move to improve the current state of the OKC Thunder?

Happy Sam Presti Day everybody! Today is the OKC Thunder’s front office superstar’s last opportunity to upgrade his team via the trade market. According to Adrian Wojnarowski the buyout market will be stocked with talent, so it’s possible a move isn’t even made today. With that being said we’re going to sift through and figure out what’s the most likely outcome for today.

Thoughts on every potential Thunder target

Over the weekend I dissected every player linked to the Thunder in an attempt to understand which rumors were actual possibilities and which were #fakenews. Want quick thoughts on Rodney Hood, Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart and Co? Just click that link and you’ll be the most knowledgeable, well-rounded Thunder fan in the office.

"Because we have zero inclination of what the Thunder’s move might be, we’re going to quickly go through every player reportedly on the Trade Block and asses whether it’s a good fit/if there’s even a remote possibility of acquiring them."

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MAY 6: San Antonio Spurs GM, R.C. Buford talks to OKC Thunder GM, Sam Presti before Game Three of the Western Conference Semi Finals on May 6, 2016 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)

Insiders speak on OKC’s moves

After you’re done reading a mostly-opinionated (but well-reasoned) piece, head over to Kevin O’Connor’s piece to see what he’s heard from front offices regarding Presti’s move. It’s not a secret that the Thunder don’t have assets. It’s also not a secret that they need a high-impact piece in wake of the Andre Roberson injury. That imbalance is precisely why it’s difficult to project whether or not OKC will make a deal today.

"The trade deadline might end up being a bust for the Thunder. Their targets appear either unattainable or underwhelming."

Final Prediction

Just so it’s on the record, I’m still sticking with my OKC-BOS-MEM three team deal prediction.

Marcus Smart to OKC

Tyreke Evans to Boston

Abrines and 2 second rounders to Memphis
— Thunderous Intentions (@thunderousint) February 8, 2018

If – and that’s a big IF – the Thunder make a deal, this is what I think it ends up being. Marcus Smart is the best available Roberson-replacement. And because he’s a free agent this summer his value is significantly diminished. If anybody says no to this deal it’s Memphis. The hope here is the first-round pick the Grizzlies desire for Tyreke never comes to fruition and they see Abrines/two second rounders as the best value offered to them.

All we can do is hope for the best Thunder Nation. Remember that we have the best GM in the business on our side.

#inPrestiwetrust