Can the Thunder find help in buyout market?
Every NBA team wants the same type of players: Names like Wesley Matthews, Wayne Ellington, Trevor Ariza and Terrence Ross. Which means 30 teams face similar questions come trade deadline time. The NBA's trade deadline is 2 p.m. Thursday, a time which will answer the questions of how much teams chasing championships really want to win and how can they differentiate themselves in the race for a limited amount of available difference-making players. Including the Thunder, many of the league's top contenders will be dipping into the buyout market after Thursday. Striking gold via a buyout free agent goes beyond how much money teams can offer. “It's all about relationships in this league, all about who you know, what guys you've played with that's on that particular team that's inquiring about you,” said Thunder guard Raymond Felton, a 14-year veteran who happens to be friends with Matthews. Matthews, who could be a buyout candidate in New York, played with Felton with the Trail Blazers and Knicks. “All those things help out.” As the Anthony Davis Saga has played out between New Orleans and the Los Angeles Lakers, though, it's not as easy as a team wanting a player.
Making a trade has many moving parts and motivations. Matching salaries. Relationships between front offices. Every team involved feeling it is getting good value — be it a veteran player, freeing up salary cap space or alleviating luxury taxes. The Thunder, for instance, hit on a two-forone last week. It subtracted more than $7 million in taxes and salary off its payroll by dealing Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot to the Bulls for a second-round pick. OKC also opened a roster spot, not necessarily with the intent of adding another player or two (the Thunder has two open roster spots), but in case a deal arose before the deadline, that flexibility would exist. The Thunder's flexibility in trades is limited. Players at positions it would like to upgrade — Patrick Patterson, Alex Abrines, even Andre Roberson — have low value based on either underwhelming performance (Patterson), injury (Roberson) or a combination of elements (Abrines). Its earliest available first-round pick to trade is 2024. Terrance Ferguson's progress should keep him off limits in trade talks involving rental players. So, the buyout market looms, where relationships become arguably as important as fit. “If you know somebody on that team, and you played with them on a team prior to that, that helps …,” Felton said. “When you can call them and (ask) `How's that organization? How are the guys on the team? Are they looking to win? What's the morale in the locker room?'” If a player like Matthews, or Ellington — who will reportedly be bought out of his contract when traded from Miami to Phoenix — becomes a free agent via buyout, the race begins to sell the now-free agent. What can the Thunder sell players Golden State and Houston can't, and vice versa? “If there's phone conversations that we need to have with players, we'll definitely do that,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. Last year, it was Corey Brewer, who was signed to a prorated veteran's minimum for the Thunder's final 18 regular-season games and the playoffs. Brewer had a previous relationship with Donovan from the University of Florida which helped his integration into Oklahoma City, said Donovan. But Donovan said it was more about Brewer's fit and the understanding of what was needed from him. “They're looking to put themselves in situations where they can contribute, they can help and they can play a role,” Donovan said. “That's generally what you're dealing with more so than a quote-unquote sales pitch.” The Thunder's sales pitch is pretty strong: Third in the Western Conference. Russell Westbrook and Paul George drawing defensive attention on every possession. The space-freeing screens of Steven Adams. Minutes available on the wing. If a player was interested in calling Felton with questions about the Thunder, particularly a former teammate, he'd pick up the phone. “But at the end of the day, I want every player in the NBA to do what's best for them regardless of what happens,” Felton said. “If you feel it was right for you as an individual, then you do you, and that's what matters.”
Decisions, decisions
The Thunder is among a handful of playoff contenders who will be in the hunt for free agents on the buyout market. Here's a look at the pros and cons for a select group of contenders post-trade deadline:
Houston
Pros: Houston has signed veterans at the minimum before (Gerald Green) and turned them into playoff contributors around master passers James Harden and Chris Paul. … There are minutes available to help Houston's shaky defense (112.2 points per 100 possessions, 26th in the NBA), which has looked bad this season without Trevor Ariza. Cons: Its defense may be beyond repair, particularly with center Clint Capela out until Feb. 21. … Would a vet be comfortable fitting into Houston's iso-heavy style?
Golden State
Pros: Golden State is best team in the league and the clear favorite for the NBA title. No buyout candidate will get more a better shot at a championship. Cons: If a buyout candidate was looking for shot volume, Oakland may not be the place. Otherwise, the Warriors make an appealing case for best destination.
Philadelphia
Pros: Philadelphia's second unit still needs wing depth despite acquiring Boban Marjanovich and Mike Scott in a trade with the L.A. Clippers. … The trade for Tobias Harris makes the Sixers one of the top contenders for the Eastern Conference title. Cons: All of the Sixers' big names need the ball, starting with high-usage big man Joel Embiid. Rightfully so. Embiid is an All-Star.
Oklahoma City
Pros: The Thunder could use a second-unit upgrade. Minutes being divided between Abdel Nader, Alex Abrines and Hamidou Diallo on the wing could easily be shifted to a veteran perimeter player who could provide defensive stability and shooting. Cons: The Thunder isn't Houston-level iso ball, but it still doesn't pass like the other contending teams … How many shots will a veteran entering free agency get alongside Paul George, Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder (and Terrance Ferguson shooting well)? … The Thunder is one of the most expensive teams in the league, so questions remain about OKC using the taxpayer mid-level exception ($5.3 million).