Will OKC Thunder be active on trade deadline? Zach Lowe says intel is 'all over the place'
In an episode of The Lowe Post podcast on Friday, ESPN's Zach Lowe said he has gotten mixed signals from around the league when it comes to the OKC Thunder's intentions this trade deadline on Thursday.
"The intel, much as they would probably like it to be, is just all over the place on Oklahoma City," Lowe said. "I've had people tell me, 'Based on our conversations, we think they're gonna be aggressive.'
"And I've had other people tell me, 'Based on our conversations, they're probably going to stand pat and do the thing where they stand pat and just let it ride in the playoffs.'"
OKC boasts the second-youngest roster in the NBA, which is led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It's tied for first in the Western Conference standings with a record of 35-15. It owns 37 draft picks, including 15 first-rounders, in the next seven years.
OKC general manager Sam Presti has the assets to outbid any team in the NBA if he wants to be a buyer this trade deadline. But that's a big "if."
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In addition to young players and a wealth of draft capital, OKC also has contracts it can use as salary filler.
Atop that list is the contract of Davis Bertans, who has only appeared in 15 games this season and is making $17 million. The eighth-year forward has a $16 million player option next season, although only $5.25 million is guaranteed.
If OKC were to make a move, it has a few needs worth addressing. It could trade some more wing depth, or it could get some more size and rebounding at the backup center position.
But any move OKC does could jeopardize its team chemistry, which is one of the best in the NBA.
"They do want to see what this team looks like in the playoffs," Lowe said. "It's a young team. They do want to see how Josh Giddey reacts to playoff defense. ... See how Shai's foul drawing translates to the playoffs. ... Just see how they react."
A case can be made for OKC to stay put this trade deadline. But as long as Presti has a treasure trove of assets at his disposal, a trade is never off the table.
"On the other hand, they have nine million draft picks," Lowe said with a laugh.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder: ESPN's Zach Lowe talks Thunder's NBA trade deadline plans
