Good Trade Partners for a Westbrook Move

(July 4 2016)  By: Efraim Graber

Since Kevin Durant chose the Golden State Warriors as his new team, the Thunder need to counteract that move. They have already expressed interest in moving Westbrook for the right price. The reason to move him is because now that Durant is gone, Westbrook's chances of staying have slimmed immensely. Here are 2 teams that make sense for Russell and for the Thunder franchise.

Los Angeles Lakers - The Lakers would have no reason to keep D'Angelo Russell, so sending him in the trade is a no brainer. Lou Williams is going to have to be sent as an incentive as well. There is no way the Lakers give up Julius Randle or Brandon Ingram in this trade. In addition a first round pick will round out this trade. The Thunder could make a quick turn around by builing around Oladipo and Russell. Obviously there would be other players involved in the deal to make the salaries work.

New Orleans Pelicans - The Pelicans have less
up and comers to offer in this trade. Buddy hield would probably have to go along with Jrue Holiday and a first round pick. This would leave the Pelicans with Westbrook, Evans, Pondexter, Hill and Anthony Davis as the starters. They would probably have to absorb the contract of one of the Thunder bigs.

"Blockbuster"

(February 16th 2016) BY: Ira Barasch

I recall last trade deadline pretty vividly, I was covering it intently and was pretty underwhelmed, until all hell broke loose. By 3pm I was stunned by all the trades that had happened, all those last minute deals by a GM tinkering, toying with the hope of fans to get his team to the promised land. Fans love the deadline because anything can happen, its a second lease on life or a nail biter for a fan to see how savvy a GM could really be. This year is different though, with the salary cap set to rise by 20 million next year, teams are more hesitant with making a deal, not wanting to take up too much space and hoping to make a splash in free agency. No need to worry, as here at NBA Sports Talk we love a good juicy rumor as much as the next person, so here are 3 mega deals that we'd like to see happen:

1) Los Angeles Clippers receive: Carmelo Anthony 

New York Knicks Receive: Blake Griffin

This would be a bold move by both teams, and a win win for both parties involved. Melo would have an experienced coach in Doc Rivers, he would get one of the best point guards in the league in Chris Paul, along with a host of solid role players around him on a team ready to make a significant push towards a title.

Now the Knicks would have a scary tandem. Granted they would be a point guard away from making itwork, but the thought of Blake and Porzingis side by side is scary. Blake is more aggressive inside the paint, allowing Porzingis to move around more. Best of all? This trade is financially feasible (via ESPN's trade machine http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=mtxz2xd)

2) Washington Wizards receive: Kevin Durant 

Oklahoma City receives: Nene, Otto Porter Jr, and Bradely Beal

Your superstar is a free agent after the season, you're going through a 'will he or wont he' scenario and you have a shot to bolster the next young core of your team with Otto Porter Jr and Bradley Beal as your starting foundation? Sign me up. The Thunder would be smart to take precautions to protect them from potentially losing Durant in the summer for nothing.

Kevin Durant has been rumored to go back home (sort of) to Washington since last year. The comfort of having family and friends around you is priceless. Also there is John Wall, who desperately needs some fire power around him. Now granted the Wiz can only make this deal if Durant says he re-signs after the season is over, but the idea of Wall and Durant as running mates in a weaker conference would and should put fear into every team in the East

(ESPN's trade machine http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=j3kegnm)

3) Boston Celtics receive: Kevin Love

Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Marcus Smart, David Lee, Jared Sullinger

Another win win deal. While Boston gets a legitimate superstar to pair with Isaiah Thomas, Cleveland gets some nice bench depth in Lee and young players in Smart and Sullinger. This would need to come out of desperation for both teams but the whispers have definitely been out there that this might 

actually happen. (ESPN's trade machine http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=gtn2vwg)

"Is Jennings Available??"

(January 25th 2016) By: Efraim Graber

That should be the question of every GM in the NBA. The Pistons phone line should be off the hook and Jeff Baur, the one time New Orleans GM/Interim Coach, no Pistons GM should be jumping for joy. Brandon Jennings in a household name, even with all of the antics and craziness over his years in Milwaukee.

His meager 7.2 PPG and 3.5 APG is not indicative of the player he is. First of all he is only playing 17 and a half minutes a game so far. With more minutes come more responsibility (Uncle Ben: Spiderman). He is also in a  crowded back court with Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, and Steve Blake. It's worth is for any team on the cusp to take a chance on him on the chance that a change of scenery and an uptick in minutes will bring him back to the player he used to be.

A few buyers that can really benefit from his presence are as follows:

Brooklyn Nets:
I know they're not on the brink of a playoff spot but he would fit perfectly in their system. He can pass in the pick and roll with Lopez and he can get to the basket and create his own shot. He would compliment Joe Johnson's shooting by drawing defenders off of him.

Oklahoma City Thunder:
They can definitely use him as a spark plug off the bench. If you think having Westbrook fly at your players at 90 MPH wasn't enough, when he goes to the bench Jennings will replace him and be just as pesky. He can also play his ideal position as a 1 off the bench and have waiters in with him as another ball handler.

Miami Heat:
It wouldn't be his ideal situation but he can also come off the bench for Goran Dragic as a Six-Man. He can come in and fire on all cylinders in Miamis Mid-range jump-shooting party. He can also play off of Wades double teams and have wide open looks.

It's buying season people!