NBA: 15 Eastern Conference Trades That Need To Happen Before The Deadline

OKC’s No Longer Single(r)

I write this section the night after KD’s return to OKC, and wow. The Thunder need bench help.

While it’s great  that Westbrook is averaging 34.8 MPG (sarcasm) and a triple double on the season, it’s not great that Billy Donovan’s squad is 29th in the league in 3PT%. While Golden State is a well-oiled death machine that obliterates every team in its path, OKC’s starters were flustered and the bench looked completely lost at points. There was no offensive flow, it was basically just Westbrook angrily attacking the rim and shooting pull-up 3s in transition while guys like Anthony Morrow and Victor Oladipo hoped they would get to touch the ball at some point.

The bottom line: OKC could look to bolster its bench (and 3PT shooting) by bringing in a familiar face; especially if they want a legitimate shot at knocking out Golden State in the playoffs.

If you have no idea who Kyle Singler is, that’s okay. He used to be a starter for the Detroit Pistons from 2012-14, but is only averaging 10.2 MPG this season for the Thunder. Honestly I don’t understand why the Thunder extended him considering he barely sees the floor, and when he is on the floor, looks like he is in the wrong room and trying to find the right classroom.

Despite all this, Singler did start for the Pistons and was consistent if nothing else. He holds a career 36.5% from 3, so maybe Donovan should consider giving him more playing time; but if not, Orlando should swoop in for one reason: Jeff Green.

Jeff Green has an incredible story, and I was a big fan of his when he played for my Cs, but this year in Orlando has been his worst to date. He is just taking away minutes from guys that deserve longer looks, namely former lottery pick Mario Hezonja. Orlando has a terribly constructed roster, but should be taking fliers on players that have seen their roles reduced over the years, and Singler could bring some stability/be a surprise.

Augustin somewhat surprisingly signed a 4-year deal with the Magic to be a part of what many (myself included) predicted to be a playoff-caliber Magic team. Instead, the Magic are 20-36 and Augustin’s backup PG abilities would be much more welcomed on a team that traded for him last season.

Augustin would come in immediately and be able to spell Westbrook for longer periods of time since Donovan insists on limiting Payne’s minutes to just 15.8 a game. He would also draw defenders in and be able to kick out to sharpshooters like Anthony Morrow and stretch 5s like Lauvergne.

OKC might have to cough up their 2018 second rounder from Boston to acquire Augustin, but they should look to contend with their young backcourt of Oladipo and Westbrook locked up for the foreseeable future.