ESPN Insider Says OKC Thunder Are Sending “Mix Signals” Ahead of NBA Trade Deadline

ESPN Insider Says OKC Thunder Are Sending “Mix Signals” Ahead of NBA Trade Deadline

Given their 34-15 record, the Oklahoma City Thunder appear to be strong candidates to be buyers at the NBA Trade

Deadline. But according to NBA Insider Zach Lowe on his Lowe Post Podcast on

the ESPN Podcast Network, General Manager Sam Presti is able to send the

NBA “mixed signals” this time of year because of the young nature of their

club. As much as they would undoubtedly wish it to be otherwise,

Oklahoma City’s intelligence is scattered around the city. Some have told me, “We

think they are going to be aggressive, maybe, I don’t know, it is hard to tell,”

and others have said, “Based on our conversations, they are probably going to

be aggressive.” They definitely want to watch this young squad perform in the

playoffs, so they’re going to sit back and wait to see how it goes.” In his show’s last

part, Lowe said. In an attempt to forecast what the Thunder will do this week, Zach

Lowe and ESPN analyst Chris Herring engaged in a debate on the subject. This

is exactly what Oklahoma City wants, as Lowe stated.

Since there is no right or incorrect answer, Sam Presti can play his cards close to the vest. Allowing this young

club to perform to the best of their abilities is a wise decision if you want to

gather enough information throughout the winter to make personnel changes.

You may counter that the Thunder have the opportunity to strengthen this team

by being a force to be reckoned with come Thursday’s deadline. There have

been rumors circulating that they may consider trying to sign a seasoned big

man. In the end, I believe the Thunder will act during the NBA Trade Deadline,

even if it is just to increase their team’s margins, as they did when they acquired

Dario Saric from the Phoenix Suns the previous season.

Nobody really has Presti figured out, which is one of the more surprising general managers in the sport. With

rumors of a major announcement on Thursday, nothing would be astonishing.

In the summer of 2017, this is the same squad that unexpectedly traded for Paul

George. So, it is not shocking that opposing teams would act erratically.