Although the Oklahoma City Thunder are without stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the team reportedly is unlikely to pursue any in-season trades. Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler cited the Thunders' history and their current record as two reasons they're unlikely to make any moves this season.
Durant and Westbrook are both sidelined with injuries, but Kyler doesn't think the Thunder are in any hurry to bring in anybody else.
Per Kyler:
"The Thunder are not big in-season traders...the problem with trying to pull off a trade now is most teams are not selling, so anything you can get, might not be worth the price. The other part is the team is playing really well without KD and Westbrook. Giving young guys a chance to really play is more beneficial than giving away asset(s) in a panic move. I'd also challenge, is there really anything out there that makes OKC better in the long term - because you'd give up assets and have to keep them beyond the current injuries.
"If the Thunder were dropping games and not competing, then maybe, I could see them rushing to a deal, but if they can hover around .500 without their two best players, then that's a good place to be."
Durant hasn't played all season because of a fracture in his foot, and Westbrook will be out for at least four weeks after breaking his hand nine minutes into Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite not having Durant and Westbrook on Thursday, the Thunder managed to keep the game competitive before falling 93-90.
Oklahoma City then went on to defeat the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, 102-91.
If the present Thunder roster can keep the team in contention within the Western Conference while Durant and Westbrook are out, then there really isn't a need to find a trade. If Durant and Westbrook can return by January, there's no need to hit the panic button.
