5 key questions facing the OKC Thunder at trade deadline
Prior to February 6th, there are 5 burning questions for OKC Thunder, GM Sam Presti to answer that could alter the team’s future immediately.
The countdown to the trade deadline has begun and with it, OKC Thunder General Manager Sam Presti has some serious questions to answer.
Often referred to as ‘the Magician’ Presti has more tools than ever in his illusionist kit after a summer spent making blockbuster trades netting copious draft picks.
What makes this deadline extremely compelling is the team has performed well above preseason expectations. Although the Thunder remains seeded seventh in the Western Conference the reality is they are closer to climbing to fifth than falling out of the mix.
As of this posting, the current seeding situation bolsters this possibility given Luka Doncic will be out at least six games after re-injuring his ankle in practice. Dallas sits a half game ahead of the Thunder with identical win totals and one less loss (30-19). They’ll face three teams on the road (Pacers, Wizards, Hornets) and the Grizzlies in week 16 and play a back-to-back set.
Factor in James Harden‘s recent shooting troubles and suddenly the fifth-seeded Rockets also seem within reach. Houston also has 30 wins but has played two fewer games (30-18). Let’s not forget the Thunder already own the tiebreak on Houston having won the season series 2-1.
The Rockets get tested in week 16 with a road back-to-back set against the Lakers and Suns as well as games versus the Hornets and Jazz,
OKC has an easier itinerary with three home matches versus the Cavaliers, Pistons, and Celtics.
The irony of trade week is the OKC Thunder could theoretically be sitting in fifth by week’s end due to the schedule and the above cited issues for the Mavs and Rockets. Because of that Thursday’s trade deadline is perhaps the most compelling for the Thunder out of all their counterparts with choices on every side of the equation.
With that, let’s look at the five most compelling questions Sam Presti must answer prior to the deadline…