By Michael Doutey
We are inside of 24 hours from tomorrow’s NBA trade deadline. The Thunder have been doing their due diligence over the past few days and now the real work begins. The Thunder are waiting for the right deal and for some of the asking prices to come down. Here’s an updated look at some of the realistic Thunder targets.
Avery Bradley
The Thunder have been rumored to have interest in Bradley since Andre Roberson went down. Bradley is in the last year of his of his contract, which is worth $8.8 million. Matching salary for the Thunder will be a chore. Alex Abrines would likely have to be included in the deal, but interest in Abrines is a mystery. Would the Clippers want Abrines? The Thunder would likely have to add Josh Huestis’ contract to the deal as well as one of the Thunder’s second round picks. This is worth noting from Kevin O’Connor…
“Oklahoma City’s best hope is that the Clippers are infatuated with Abrines. For what it’s worth, the Clippers’ director of pro player personnel, Johnny Rogers, lived, played, and broadcasted in Spain for over two decades, and “loves Abrines,” according to a league executive. If the Clippers insist on dealing Bradley, an unrestricted free agent this summer, maybe Abrines and another piece will be as good as it gets.”
Jonathan Simmons
According to Chris Mannix of The Vertical, OKC has looked into Simmons over the past few days. Simmons is on a very manageable contract, having just signed a three year deal worth $18 million. Simmons is a true two-way player and had success in the playoffs last season. Simmons would be an excellent player for OKC and with his contract guaranteed through two seasons, it would give the Thunder some insurance next season so that Andre Roberson could be brought along slowly. My man Spinozi had that idea this morning and it made a lot of sense. However, I’m just not sure OKC will be able to afford a deal with Orlando.
Rodney Hood
Tony Jones, of the Salt Lake Tribune, reported earlier Monday that the Thunder have expressed interest in Hood. Of everyone on this list, Hood fits best for a trade financially. Hood is just making $2.3 million this season and will become a restricted free agent at seasons end. He is a really nice offensive fit, but not so much on defense. It will come down to assets for OKC to entice the Jazz in a trade.
Marcus Smart
The latest Thunder news came out today that OKC has expressed interest in Boston Celtic combo-guard, Marcus Smart. Smart is a very good defender who lacks shooting, which is a Thunder staple. However, Boston wants a 1st rounder for Smart and Danny Ainge is typically not someone who will lower a price for a player like Smart. Now, don’t think Smart is worth a 1st. Smart is in the last year of his rookie deal and he probably is looking for a payday when he hits free agency this summer. I don’t think Smart is the choice for OKC at tomorrow’s deadline.
Dewayne Dedmon
This week Sean Deveney of the Sporting News reported that OKC has looked into Atlanta backup big man, Dewayne Dedmon. The Thunder could use the little help in that area, though the Thunder most need help with wing defense or just better wing depth. So, could OKC also be interested in Hawk sharpshooter Marco Belinelli in a package deal?
Hawks talking with several teams about Marco Belinelli, per league sources. Being held out tonight as Atlanta tries to finalize a deal.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) February 7, 2018
Tony Allen
Another report from over the weekend was that the Thunder have reached out to the Chicago Bulls in regards to newly acquired guard, Tony Allen, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. Allen was apart of the Nikola Mirotic and Omer Asik trade from last week.
Allen is expected to be waived if he is not traded. I would suspect OKC would like to use their open roster space for Allen in the buyout market. But if OKC can’t get a deal done elsewhere, the Thunder could make a last minute deal on Thursday.
The Thunder will probably be looking into the buyout market, where guys like Allen could be. Another name in the buyout market could be Utah’s Joe Johnson. More from O’Connor.
It’s been reported that Jazz guard Joe Johnson will be bought out if he’s not traded before the deadline, and two front-office sources have cited the Thunder as a leader for Johnson. When the Nets waived Johnson after the 2016 deadline, the Thunder were one of the teams to pursue the veteran. Even though Johnson, now 36, has regressed, he could still offer needed bench scoring.
Also of note. It appears, as no surprise, that OKC is not interested in using rookie Terrance Ferguson in trade talks according to ESPN’s Royce Young.
OKC would prefer to not deal Ferguson — a player they’re very high on — for a veteran rental, and regardless of what lever they pull, they aren’t replacing Roberson’s skill set or fit. The growing expectation is the Thunder make a move by Thursday’s deadline, because there’s just too much riding on this season to not.
