Oklahoma City Thunder Unlikely To Make A Trade

Despite the absence of two of the NBA’s best players, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Oklahoma City Thunder are unlikely to make a panic trade

More from Kevin Durant

The Oklahoma City Thunder lost their best player, the 2013-2014 NBA MVP, Kevin Durant, to a Jones fracture before the season began. However, with another All-Star on the roster in point guard Russell Westbrook, most figured they would be able to weather the storm.

However, after just two games, Westbrook went down with an injury. He suffered a fracture in the second metacarpal in his right hand and had surgery to correct the problem. He will be reevaluated.

Although they earned a 102-91 victory over the Denver Nuggets Saturday night, the Thunder will have trouble continuing to win in a loaded Western Conference. If they fall behind, it could be devastating – last season the Phoenix Suns went 48-34 and did not make the postseason. That has led to speculation the Thunder will make a trade to bolster their roster. The Thunder, however, aren’t usually in the business of giving up young assets.

“The other part is the team is playing really well without KD and Westbrook,” writes Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. “Giving the young guys a chance to really play is more beneficial than giving away asset 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.”

They will likely simply choose to let it play out and hope they can stay afloat while they wait for their stars to get healthy.

More from FanSided

Home/Kevin Durant