Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

The OKC Thunder Need To Blow It Up

By Austin Sternlicht

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- APRIL 5: Russell Westbrook #0 and Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on against the Detroit Pistons on April 5, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- APRIL 5: Russell Westbrook #0 and Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on against the Detroit Pistons on April 5, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
Patrick Patterson, Terrance Ferguson, Dennis Schroder, OKC Thunder, (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Still Taxed Out

Even after trading for Paul George, the Thunder are still approximately $14.5 million over the tax line. Dumping Patrick Patterson along with a future second rounder into a team’s cap space is a great way to reduce that.

The Thunder also need to consider canceling their acquisitions of Mike Muscala and Alec Burks. Those two made sense if the Thunder wanted to compete. Under the assumption that is no longer the case, Presti needs to consider backtracking these moves. Sure it would look bad, especially after he flew to Minnesota to meet Muscala, but the NBA is a business. If DeAndre Jordan can spurn the Mavericks, the Thunder can do the same to Mike Muscala.

Possible Trade Candidates

The most obvious trade candidate should be Gallinari who at 30, is coming off his best season in the league. He had career highs in PER, win shares, win shares per 48 minutes, and VORP. Plus, as an expiring contract, he should be a valued commodity as a rental who could clear space and bring back an asset or two. It would be smart to try and move him before the season as Gallo has had a variety of injuries over his career. Even the smallest of injuries could significantly lower his stock.

Jerami Grant is another interesting name who is essentially in the last year of his deal. Again, he’s a cheap versatile big who could be flipped before possibly leaving for nothing. Or, at 25, do the Thunder see him as a core piece going forward?

Dennis Schroder has two years left at $15 million, which isn’t great for an average point guard in the NBA. He could be moved now or maybe after next season when he becomes an expiring deal. The Thunder clearly wanted to flip him after trading for him last Summer, but a disappointing year likely halted that plan.

The Two Thunder Lifers

There have been rumors all Summer about trading Steven Adams, but that seemed more as a way to shed salary while also contending. Now, with what will appear to be a young core, the Thunder might want to keep Adams around for his veteran leadership. He will be a great pick-and-roll partner for SGA and could even take another step forward offensively. If he started shooting threes this season, Adams could significantly bolster his trade value as an expiring next Summer.

Last but not least, Russell Westbrook needs to be moved. It’s so sad to imagine him on any other team and his trade value isn’t that great considering his age and contract. But even if they can get one solid pick and player, it has to be done.

Should Thunder strike while the iron is hot and trade superstar Russell Westbrook?. light. Related Story

Also, it would be a nice bonus if he could be sent to a contender and not some poorly run organization like the Knicks, Suns or Magic. Does anybody really want to see another, and most likely worse version of the 2017 season again? Westbrook deserves to finish his career on a winning team and based on the way things are looking, that won’t be in OKC.

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