Why the OKC Thunder need to stand pat at the trade deadline
The NBA trade deadline is arguably one of the best times of the season. This year, the OKC Thunder are better off sitting on the sidelines.
This year’s NBA trade deadline has already been one for the ages. The Kristaps Porzingis trade, coupled with non-stop Anthony Davis rumors completely overshadowed all coverage leading up to the Super Bowl. Heck, this year’s “Super Bore” was so terrible, LeBron James was begging for a major trade to distract society from the atrocity last Sunday night.
Pretty good week for the NBA huh? Top 5 https://t.co/MNLIe3cbCw headlines on Super Bowl eve-1) Lakers offer for AD; 2) AD dad nixes Celtics; 3) James Harden streak; 4) Kyrie Irving cheered in NYC; 5) Cuban says Porzingis wont play this year
— Ian O'Connor (@Ian_OConnor) February 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/1092239095621857280
Oh, by the way, this article was written with the trade deadline still a couple of days away, so there’s a great chance the best has yet to come.
It’s only natural to think how the OKC Thunder could use this window to upgrade its roster. While there certainly might be some opportunities to do so, the fact of the matter remains that barring any irresistible offers, the OKC Thunder need to avoid making any rash decisions and sit this one out. Here’s why.
Not many options in places of need
If you want the Thunder to make a trade, there needs to be a clear target. And honestly, there’s nobody available that exactly moves the needle. Some of the common names being brought up like Terrance Ross, Alec Burks, and Wayne Ellington might be nice players but simply aren’t worth the price of acquiring. At the beginning of the season, when Terrance Ferguson was struggling mightily, you could consider going after one of these players. But now, with Ferguson looking like a key piece not only this season but also for the future, it makes no sense to bring in a guy and take away his minutes.
Remember how the Thunder brought in guys like Caron Butler and Derek Fisher that took away minutes from Jeremy Lamb? That can’t happen again. Ferguson needs to get big playoff minutes to gain additional experience in big moments and hopefully further boost his already surging confidence.