OKC Thunder: Power Rankings all teams at the trade deadline
Leading into trade deadline day teams are actively figuring out where they stand. Contenders will be seeking to bolster their depth while teams on the periphery need to decide if they’ll be buyers or sellers. One team who knows their position is the OKC Thunder who already have been active trading Hamidou Diallo and Trevor Ariza.
This deadline feels like it could either be crickets quiet or it could blow up. The reason either situation could occur is two-fold.
The first and most obvious reason is the pandemic affected the ability of clubs to assess the team’s development because players were out with the virus or contact tracing. It also should be noted not having fans has impacted teams who are used to the cheers helping shift momentum in close games.
The other very real reason is the play-in tournament which shifts the landscape for how teams at the bottom of the playoff ladder and clubs who could make a run in the stretch to nab the ninth or tenth seed. That might seem like a nonentity but for clubs like the Kings who haven’t played in the postseason for 14 years, it’s a big deal.
Power rankings for OKC Thunder and peers on trade deadline
With that in mind, this week’s power rankings will look at each team with the deadline in mind. For teams who are selling TI notes the players most likely on the trade block. For teams contending (or wanting to nab a seed 10th or higher), TI will isolate the area of the roster they need to upgrade. Plus of course, TI will throw in our two cents on how the OKC Thunder could factor in the mix.
Something to keep in mind as you watch games this week is who is resting and who is suddenly getting an uptick in playing time. Both situations will occur around trade targets. Some teams will want to showcase players who might not be opponent’s radar while others will be sat to ensure they don’t get injured.
Of note, these power rankings place emphasis on the specific week, opponent caliber, the season as a whole, overall prowess in key categories and gives credence to defense and net differential over offense when breaking ties.
With that, let’s dive into Intentions special trade deadline power rankings…