KD says he’s fine if Thunder doesn’t make deadline splash
Anthony Slater
Starting Sunday, the Thunder has six matchups with either the Cavaliers, Warriors or Spurs over the next two months. All six will serve as important checkpoints for the Thunder before the real drama begins — a desperate, and potentially final, playoff push with a core built around Kevin Durant.
But Thursday is a crucial checkpoint, too. The trade deadline. It’s the last chance to substantially upgrade personnel before the next NBA champion is crowned.
There’s a notion out there that Sam Presti needs to make a splash to get Durant’s attention. But as Thursday’s 2 p.m. deadline ticks closer, it’s becoming increasingly likely the Thunder either
stands pat or makes nothing more than a minor move.
Following Wednesday’s practice, Durant said he’s fine with that.
“I trust Sam 100 percent,” Durant said. “Whatever he does, I know it’s for the betterment of the organization and team. Whatever he chooses to do, I’m happy with it and I support it.”
The reality is the Thunder made its major moves around this time last season. In separate deals to get Dion Waiters and Enes Kanter, Presti spent two of his future first-round picks.
Without those coveted assets, and with a core of players OKC is intent on leaving intact, not many attractive and expendable options remain in the trade chamber. D.J. Augustin is a steady veteran point guard on an expiring deal. Mitch McGary is a mildly intriguing young big. But a package of both isn’t likely to net a player who will bridge the gap between the Thunder and Warriors.
Golden State’s dominance — and to a lesser but still ridiculous extent, San Antonio’s play — has created league-wide paranoia. That concern, though, could be greatest in Oklahoma City, with what this season represents for the organization.
What in past years may be categorized as a minor hole now feels like a major chasm. For the Thunder, that’s on the wing, where a consistent two-way contributor is desired.
Which is what makes Dion Waiters’ situation interesting. He’s in the exact same contractual place Reggie Jackson was a season ago, just before he was traded. Waiters is on the final year of his rookie-scale contract, without an extension, just months from restricted free agency. His future in OKC is uncertain.
In the past, the Thunder has been unwilling to risk losing a young asset on the open market without getting some kind of return.
“I’d love to stay here, love playing here,” Waiters said. “But at the end of the day, it’s a business.”
So could he be moved? Seems unlikely. Waiters’ potential value on the trade market — low, considering both his up-and-down nature and looming free agency — doesn’t usurp his importance to the Thunder in the present. While looking for a twoway role-playing wing, it seems unwise to ship away your best current facsimile of it.
Perhaps a package is out there. Perhaps Waiters could help land it. Perhaps something major is on the horizon.
But with internal confidence that the current core can compete for a title, plus a public vote of confidence from Durant, a roster shake-up doesn’t seem likely.
“I’m not one of those guys that needs so much or wants to know every single move,” Durant said. “It’s just a part of the game. I just gotta roll with the punches and be a good leader no matter what.”