Crowded Western Conference Could Force Oklahoma City Thunder into Trade Market
The Oklahoma City Thunder already had a tough road ahead in their quest to nab a playoff spot. Now, with fellow contenders getting even stronger, the team may have to make some moves of its own to stay afloat in a deep and crowded Western Conference.
In recent weeks, the Dallas Mavericks pulled off a trade for All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo, while the Houston Rockets have solidified their defense with the additions of Josh Smith and Corey Brewer. The Rockets and Mavs are fourth and fifth, respectively, in the conference's pecking order.
Meanwhile, the Thunder are trying to bounce back from a rough start littered with injuries. At 15-17, the club is three games behind the Phoenix Suns for the eighth seed. Unofficial NBA scoring leader Russell Westbrook (28.0 points per game) has put the team on his back while foot and ankle injuries have held reigning MVP Kevin Durant to just nine games. Even when Durant returns, the team should add a couple of pieces to better prepare themselves for a stretch run.
Oklahoma City has traditionally shied away from making any big splashes through trade. The team has mostly relied on the draft and mid-level signings to improve the roster, as exemplified by this past summer's signing of shooter Anthony Morrow to a three-year, $10 million deal.
However, with just under two months until the Feb. 19 trade deadline, opportunities are drying up, and time is running out on OKC's chances of keeping up with the competition.
Needs
Even when the team returns to full strength, depth is a concern. Beyond Morrow and Reggie Jackson, the Thunder don't have anyone who can provide a spark off the bench. The club is particularly thin up front, where the second unit's options range from declining (Nick Collison) to inexperienced (Grant Jerrett) to injured (Mitch McGary).
Preferably, any big man the Thunder acquires should be a threat in the post. The team's current power forwards have developed an infatuation with the three-point line. Collison (1.6) and Serge Ibaka (3.5) are setting career highs for trey attempts, while all of Jerrett's takes this season have come from behind the arc (1-of-10 in two games).
Center Steven Adams is the team's only option in the paint, and despite rapid improvement in the midst of just his second NBA season, he's still too raw to be relied upon on a game-to-game basis.
With Durant again sidelined due to injury, finding a suitable backup behind him wouldn't be a bad idea, either. Perry Jones had some nice moments early in the season, but a knee contusion and a lack of confidence have slowed his momentum. Despite starting the last six contests, Jones has scored a total of 42 points in 143 minutes during that stretch.
Shooting guard Jeremy Lamb has also fallen into a slump, to the point where he's racked up three DNPs in his last four games. The team has actually opted to give those minutes to journeyman point guard Ish Smith instead.
Targets
According to SI.com's Chris Mannix, the Thunder have already kicked the tires on Denver Nuggets swingman Wilson Chandler. A deal for the 27-year-old Chandler would have its share of pros and cons.
The downside is he's expensive. He's owed $6.8 million for this season, with a team option worth $7.2 million for next year, per HoopsHype. That's a lot of scratch to dole out for a reserve, especially for a team with financial restrictions. He's also struggled with injuries, having played more than 60 games just twice since 2008-09 (his last full season).
The upside in acquiring Chandler is that he's a versatile wing capable of playing and defending multiple positions. His presence would give Scott Brooks a lot of flexibility with his oft-criticized rotations. The Thunder could go big with 6'8", 225-pound Chandler at the 2 or small with him at either forward spot.
The Oklahoman's Jon Hamm gave an idea of what Chandler could bring to the table for Oklahoma City:
"Chandler has been effective as both a starter and as a reserve throughout his career. He's a career 13.7 points-per-game scorer, an effective rebounder, and solid 3-point shooter. He's capable of defending players both big and small. That kind of versatility is craved by the Thunder. He could solidify the up-and-down production the Thunder receive from Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones.
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This season, Chandler is averaging 14.5 points per game, his best output since the 2010-11 season. His 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 made three-pointers per game (35.5 percent) are both career highs. With him in the fold, the Thunder would have a suitable backup for Durant as well as someone who can contribute playing alongside the reigning MVP. His improved outside shooting would also come in handy for a team that is shooting 32.4 percent (tied for 26th in the NBA) from three.
As for an trade target in the post, there are a couple of intriguing options. The first is Boston Celtics forward Brandon Bass. At 6'8" and 250 pounds, Bass is a big body that can get buckets in the paint as well as knock down the occasional mid-range jumper.
According to Basketball-Reference.com, Bass is converting 68.3 percent of his attempts around the rim. He's also shooting 40.5 percent from 10-16 feet and 48.3 percent between 16 feet and just below the three-point line.
Bass is a little pricey at $6.9 million this season, per HoopsHype, but he could be the kind of front-line scorer off the bench that the Thunder currently lack.
The Celtics trading Rondo shows they are willing to deal veterans in exchange for young pieces that can help them build for the future. Making Bass even more expendable, his minutes have fluctuated over the last week or so. He's logged just 42 minutes in the past four games (10.5 per game) after averaging 19.9 in the 10 games prior.
If OKC wants someone a little less expensive, they could make a move for Los Angeles Clippers reserve Glen "Big Baby" Davis. The former LSU star is a mountain of a man at 6'9" and 289 pounds. His production (3.7 points, 1.9 boards) hasn't been on par with Bass' (8.9 points, 3.6 boards), but he's a much cheaper option with a salary of just $1.2 million, according to HoopsHype.
Like Bass, Davis can be an option down low. He's shooting 52.6 percent from the field, including 69.2 percent around the rim, per Basketball-Reference.com. Big Baby doesn't see a ton of time on the floor (10.9 minutes per game this season), which should make it a little easier to pry him from the Clippers.
What OKC Can Offer
The biggest ace up the Thunder's sleeve is super-sub Reggie Jackson. Jackson is in the midst of the best season of his career (15.9 points, 5.2 assists), which just so happens to also be his contract year. At 24 years old and with his numbers rising each year since entering the league in 2011, there's a good chance Jackson prices his way out of Oklahoma City this summer.
The Thunder could safeguard themselves by dangling Jackson before the deadline. He has been productive in the past as a starter, which could lure teams that want to see how the young guard fits before deciding to back up the Brinks truck in the offseason.
Beyond Jackson, the club also has a deep rotation of shooting guards in Morrow, Lamb and starter Andre Roberson. Of the three, Lamb would be the most expendable. Roberson provides the kind of defense Scott Brooks craves in the backcourt. Morrow is currently the team's most accurate three-point shooter (41.3 percent), and Oklahoma City is unlikely to move a player on a steal of a contract that they just signed over the summer.
As for Lamb, consistency and confidence issues have plagued the 22-year-old his entire career. With the Thunder having a logjam in the backcourt, it would be beneficial for both parties to find a suitor that can take better care of the former lottery pick.
The same can be said for Perry Jones, who has struggled since returning from injury on Dec. 9. He's filled in at small forward while Durant nurses an ankle sprain, but his production has been hit-or-miss. However, with his athleticism and versatility, he's an intriguing reclamation project.
He's a 6'11", 235-pound athlete who can play anywhere from shooting guard to power forward. He's also a career 32.4 percent shooter from downtown. At just 23 years old, Jones is still salvageable, and a team should take advantage of the Thunder's inability to find a concrete role for him.
Lastly, OKC has a couple of expiring contracts they can offer up. Nick Collison is 34 years old and in the twilight of his career, but he's a veteran presence that's only owed $2.2 million. Backup center Kendrick Perkins is a bit pricey at $9.2 million, but he can provide solid interior defense for a contender willing to foot the bill. Given Collison's and Perkins' roles as veteran leaders in the locker room, it would likely take a substantial offer to convince Oklahoma City to part with either.
The Oklahoma City Thunder don't need to reinvent the wheel here. In Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, the club already has one of the best trios in basketball. They are a couple of small improvements away from competing for a championship.
However, the Thunder currently find themselves on the outside looking in at a Western Conference that seemingly gets tougher every week. While the team doesn't typically make many midseason moves, this hasn't been a typical year for them.
No longer heavy favorites, the Thunder may even be called an underdog at this point.
If teams at the top of the mountain are feeling the pressure to improve their rosters, at what point will the Thunder feel the need to follow suit?
Note: All stats current as of Dec. 27 and are courtesy of NBA.com, unless otherwise noted.
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