Possible Thunder Targets Snapped Up, D.J. Back To D-Town?
By Randy Renner
Remember a couple of guys mentioned here yesterday that could be potential targets of the Thunder as the trade deadline approaches? Two of them, Courtney Lee and Tobias Harris, now have new addresses.
Lee went from Memphis to Charlotte and Harris went from Orlando to Detroit. Lee was much more likely a Thunder target than Harris and who knows, could still be because he is one of those coveted two-way players and is a shooting guard.
We also brought up D.J. Augustin, who is now OKC’s 3rd team point guard. Augustin's name came up late yesterday in a Detroit News story after the Pistons traded backup point guard Brandon Jennings. That story indicated the Pistons would like to bring Augustin back to Detroit so he can backup Reggie Jackson.
Of course Jackson was sent to the Pistons by the Thunder at the trade deadline last season in exchange for Augustin and Kyle Singler.
Another Thunder player whose name has come up in trade discussions is backup forward Mitch McGary. McGary has fallen out of the Thunder rotation this season after being used quite bit last season. Of course the Thunder roster was thinned because of injuries then but McGary was expected to make a strong push for playing time this season but he’s spent a lot of time in the D-League or at the end of the Thunder bench.
Atlanta forward/center Al Horford’s name has come up too as a potential target for OKC, mostly because he played for Billy Donovan at Florida, but the Hawks have made it clear to all teams that the asking price for Horford is extreme.
OTHER TRADE DEADLINE NOTES
Thabo To Sac-Town?
The Hawks are reportedly talking with the Sacramento Kings about a deal that could send former Thunder guard Thabo Sefolosha to the Kings. ESPN’s Chris Broussard is reporting this but his track record isn’t the greatest and even though the Kings do need a solid wing defender, so do the Hawks and dealing Sefolosha away would seem to create more problems than solve.
Clips Say “No Deal”On Griffin Trade
Former OU star Blake Griffin’s name has been on the lips of most every GM in the league, we assume that includes Sam Presti because Presti (like every other GM) always says he explores various possibilities with every team. The Clippers have been rumored to be close to pulling the trigger on a couple of deals but Doc Rivers has denied it all saying Griffin will not be traded.
Some Thunder fans, who would love to see Griffin come back home to OKC, have wondered about the possibility of the Thunder exchanging Serge Ibaka and another lesser player or two for Griffin. Ibaka has been inconsistent at times this season but Griffin is still hurt and there is increasing talk that he might not be able to return to action this season, or at least until the playoffs begin. And of course whenever he does return he faces a four-game suspension for his fight with a Clippers team staffer.
All of those issues throws a barrel full of cold water on any deal, at least where the Thunder are concerned.
We’ll continue to post updates as trade rumors come out about potential deals that could involve the Thunder.
The team is set to return to practice later today.