The Thunder aren’t likely to be buyers at the fast-approaching trade deadline, but that’s only speculation, of course.
There are numerous considerations to examine when it comes to a team’s willingness to part with players and how strongly it desires someone else. For the Thunder, the latter is the more interesting of the two.
Actively competing for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with the second-youngest roster in the NBA is certainly an impressive feat. Oklahoma City has proven its abilities very well — and with just a single All-Star, too.
So, naturally, shaking things up doesn’t seem like a very logical move. Why fix it if it isn’t broken?
While that’s likely to be the mindset of the Thunder as Feb. 8 draws nearer, there are also a few candidates who could be on the block further down the roster-rotation totem pole.
Namely Davis Bertans.
“Bertans rarely sees the court for Oklahoma City, but his $17 million salary can basically be used as a giant trade exception,” CBS Sports wrote. “If the Thunder, which is a game out of first in the West, has its eyes on a player that fits with its extremely young, extremely talented core, it might be able get him by bundling Bertans with future picks, of which it has many.”
Bertans gets the green light whenever he hits the floor — even helping Oklahoma City to a victory over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in the preseason — but like the site mentioned, doesn’t get the chance to hit the floor very often.
Shipping off the veteran for a younger piece or even a stronger, older role player isn’t out of the question. The Thunder could benefit from a fresh face, though as it should be recalled, there isn’t a need for one.
In other words, nothing is broke in Oklahoma City. It’s just a matter of whether or not the Thunder believe in age-old sayings.
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