From SI · · 1m 50s
Thunder Without Key Players Become Most Interesting Trade Target
Thunder's injuries to Williams and Wallace create trade urgency as they chase title without two stars.
In brief
Thunder's injuries to Williams and Wallace create trade urgency as they chase title without two stars. Thunder must trade or sign players by February deadline to avoid second apron while chasing title without Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace. Originally reported by SI.
Thunder's key players injured
Jalen Williams suffered dislocated left ankle and fractured fibula requiring surgery.
“Jalen Williams went down with a scary-looking leg injury sunday against the clippers”
Cason Wallace injury timeline
Wallace has torn labrum in left shoulder requiring surgery same timeline as Williams.
“Charania reported that thunder guard cason wallace has torn labrum in left shoulder”
Wallace's contract extension
Wallace signed five-year $139 million extension before season.
“Wallace is fresh off a five-year $139 million extension”
Thunder's previous season performance
Thunder ended one win shy of nba finals last year without key players.
“The thunder managed without williams for considerable time last year”
Current roster challenges
Dort, wiggins and joe traded due to financial constraints with expensive roster.
“Luguentz dort, aaron wiggins and isaiah joe were traded away over the offseason”
Defense impact without key players
Williams and wallace's defense was critical with wallace second team all-defensive.
“The thunder's defense takes a severe hit without williams and wallace”
Financial situation
Thunder $6.9 million below second apron with $15 million disabled player exception.
“According to spotrac, the thunder are currently $6.9 million below the dreaded second apron”
Trade exceptions available
Thunder has trade exceptions from Dort, wiggins and joe trades to improve roster.
“Okc has a few large trade exceptions from the dort, wiggins and joe trades”
Second apron risks
Thunder could exceed second apron with $17.2 million from two players.
“If you add up those two salaries $10.3 million, okc can bring $17.2 million”
Potential trade targets
Thunder could target herb jones from pelicans for defensive help.
“The thunder could go to the pelicans and try to get herb jones”
Big trade options
Thunder might send hartenstein, caruso or williams for blockbuster deal.
“If presti wanted to hunt a bigger salary, he would have to send out someone like isaiah hartenstein”
Trade deadline urgency
Thunder must make move by february deadline to avoid second apron.
“The thunder have to do something by the time the february trade deadline hits”
Current team potential
Gilgeous-alexander and holmgren could keep team competitive without changes.
“With how good gilgeous-alexander is along with chet holmgren's all-star breakout last season”
Trade deadline strategy
Thunder may trade for expiring contract players to stay under second apron.
“Okc can exceed the second apron at the trade deadline with a player on an expiring contract”
What happens next
Thunder must decide between big trade or margin improvements by february.
“The big question: what kind of move will the thunder make”
The essence
Thunder must trade or sign players by February deadline to avoid second apron while chasing title without Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace.
