NBA Trade Rumors: Who Is the 'One Piece' for the Oklahoma City Thunder?
Sam Presti has long been one of the more shrewd executives in the NBA, building a very nice young core and accumulating trade assets for the Thunder. They have been very patient, using the draft and minor trades to acquire and grow talented players. But every team eventually has to go in "win now" mode and make some changes.
The Thunder are very good, but as Chris Sheridan put it in ESPN, they are one piece away from championship contention. I believe that they should cash in before they lose some of their pieces to free agency or injury.
Oklahoma City possesses the best trade assets in the league. Russel Westbrook and Kevin Durant are their obvious untouchables, but they have a host of other talented players they could use as bait.
What should they give up and who should they go for to bring a championship to OKC?
Trade Assets
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At the disposal of the Thunder are forward Jeff Green, forward center Serge Ibaka, and guard James Harden. It would be tough to part with any of these young pieces but worth it if it brought them a championship.
But they also other young players that may be of value, including guard Eric Maynor, rookie center Cole Aldrich and maybe even raw big men D.J. White and Byron Mullens who would have some value.
They also possess the sizable expiring contracts of Daequan Cook, Morris Peterson, and Nenad Kristic and Nick Collison, whose salary goes down by about $10 mil next year. They have all their own draft picks, plus the Clippers 2012 1st rd. pick as well.
Here are some of the players they should go after...
Steve Nash
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MVP and playoff contender experience. Unselfishness, toughness, and leadership. Top shooting and ball-handling abilities. Those are some of the great things Nash could bring to the table for the young Thunder.
Phoenix has so far rebuffed any Nash trade talks, but is it really worth holding on to the two-time MVP through his twilight years? With him, they have at best a 50-50 shot at the playoffs, a low lottery pick, and not much to look forward to in the future. If any team can pry him away, it should be OKC. Here is a deal the Suns wouldn't be wise to refuse.
Probably every team in the league dreams of Nash running the offense, but can you imagine Nash running the break, deciding whether to throw the alley-oop to Durant, Westbrook, or Ibaka? Or having actually getting open threes with regularity as teams double Westbrook and Durant? He would rack up about 87 assists per-game, lead the league in free throw and three point percentage, get double-doubles every game, and all that while not playing heavy minutes.
The Suns would have a great young core with Green, Harden, and Maynor joining the team. Green and/or Harden could turn in to the next big thing in Phoenix. They also get rid of the silly contract they gave to Childress based on play in Europe.
It would be a lot of talent to give up, but you don't win championships without making sacrifices. If it is too much, they could maybe change it up to avoid giving up Harden, or Green.
Kevin Love
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This certainly appears to be unlikely. I wouldn't quite put anything past Minny though. Love would be the dream acquisition for the Thunder, with his shooting and rebounding talents. It would be scary combining him with former USA teammates Durant and Westbrook.
If they have a chance at having the ultimate Kevin/Kevin forward duo, OKC should sell the farm. Green, Harden, Aldrich, Maynor, draft picks, whatever it takes.
Here is one scenario (which would also include picks): http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6h3cppg
While giving up K-Love would be tough to swallow, they would have talent at multiple positions, some extra draft picks, and by giving up Webster and Ridnour, they would be free to remain focused on acquiring and developing young players.
The Thunder would be up there with the Spurs after this.
Nene
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Nene could be a huge help for the Thunder, giving them a post scorer with decent D and sky-high shooting. He could be a good fit with Serge Ibaka and Kevin Durant in the front court.
The Nuggets should be looking to move on and acquire some younger pieces. Nene may not be with them long anyway, and the Thunder have what it takes to bring him in.
They could offer more if necessary, but I think Jeff Green, one of OKC's 1st rd. picks, and Morris Peterson's expiring contract should be enough to get it done. Cole Aldrich could be included if necessary, or maybe more draft picks, or some cap savings for Denver.
The Nuggets get their forward of the future while avoiding losing Nene for nothing. Meanwhile, the Brazilian big would give invaluable help to the Thunder as they look to compete with the bigs of San Antonio and L.A.
Marcus Camby
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Marcus Camby would help this team out a ton, without disrupting chemistry. He has shot-blocking, rebounding, and even passing skills, as well as plenty of experience, including a finals appearance.
One possible trade could include sending Ibaka and Maynor with Peterson and Kristic's contracts to Portland, returning Camby veteran point guard Luke Ridnour, sharpshooting rookie Luke Babbit and backup 4 Dante Cunningham to OKC, and sending young players D.J. White and Armon Johnson to the T'Wolves with a 2nd rd. pick from Portland.
OKC would get their needed veteran, who is also a top ten center and who would fit in well with their team. They would also get some shooting to spread the floor for Durant and Westbrook. Portland would get some nice young players.
Andrew Bogut
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Bogut would be a great acquistion for the Thunder. I haven't heard anything about him being available, but with the Bucks struggling so much, you have to wonder if they may want to move on. If they can get the Thunder to take on Drew Gooden, a terrible signing they made this summer, plus get talent and draft picks, they may go for it.
Bogut is one of the better centers in the league, even when not healthy. He could very well be the one piece they still need.
Here is a deal that could make it happen (and would also include picks): http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6l3l6gv
Zach Randolph
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This one may make sense basketball wise, but I have a hard time seeing the Thunder pull the trigger on a deal for someone who has had Randolph's personal issues. Nevertheless. Randolph's rebounding and post skills would help the Thunder a lot if they could get him to buy in.
I'm not sure if you could give up Green, Ibaka, or Harden for Randolph. A package of expiring contracts, Aldrich, and a draft pick may be enough for Memphis as they probably won't be able to pay Randolph next year anyway.
Antawn Jamison/Troy Murphy
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OKC could use a stretch four who can rebound as well. Troy Murphy and Antawn Jamison both fit the bill. Both also have to be tired of their respective situations, as neither has had a lot of luck with the teams they've landed on. Jamison would be readily accepted as part of the team, and has shown his willingness to fit in. Murphy has been one of the best shooting bigs, and a double-double machine in the past.
Expiring contracts and lesser assets are all OKC should give up for the guys. They may have a chance to acquire one of them after a buyout as well.
Some Other Names to Consider
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Rip Hamilton-Pricey right now but could be a recipient of a buyout.
Chris Kaman-Could provide inside help if he regains his "All-Star" (haha) form.
David West/Emeka Okafor-If the Hornets can't recover from their injury woes and are headed towards a losing season, they may want to bring in some young talent and save money. West may have one foot out the door anyway. If the Thunder are willing to give up Green, Aldrich, and some expiring contracts and draft picks, it may be worth it for New Orleans.
Gerald Wallace- "Crash" could give the Thunder a lot of defense, hustle, and rebounding, as well as athleticism and decent offense. He can play either forward position and complement Durant while catching alley-oops from Westbrook. He is one of the few stars who can can play well without the ball.
The Bobcats always seem to be looking to save money these days, so a cap-saving move included with a couple of the Thunder's lesser assets may be enough to get it done. Oklahoma City may have to take on the bad contracts of DeSegana Diop, Matt Carrol, or some other overpaid benchwarmer.
Will OKC risk going all in now, or will they risk further investment into the future, with the risk of losing some of their big pieces? Guys like Green, Harden, and Maynor may look for greener pastures down the road.
