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NBA Trade Deadline: The trade each team must make

By Michael Dunlap

May 15, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Reggie Jackson (15) and center Kendrick Perkins (5) watch the game against the Memphis Grizzlies from the bench during the second half of game five of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Grizzlies defeated the Thunder 88-84. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Reggie Jackson (15) and center Kendrick Perkins (5) watch the game against the Memphis Grizzlies from the bench during the second half of game five of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Grizzlies defeated the Thunder 88-84. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 31, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) reacts during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) reacts during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Thunderous Intentions (Oklahoma City Thunder)

OKC Thunder receives: Al Jefferson (from Charlotte) and Norris Cole (from Miami)
Charlotte Hornets receives: Kendrick Perkins, Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb (from Oklahoma City) and Justin Hamilton (from Miami)
Miami Heat receives: Gary Neal (from Charlotte)

The loss of Kemba Walker to knee surgery inches this proposed trade (as per Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski) closer to reality, but now a three-team deal to involve Oklahoma City.

The Thunder have the bench scorer they need in Dion Waiters and, while he’s erratic, Reggie Jackson is just as maddeningly inconsistent. They bring in Miami’s Norris Cole, a point guard with big-game experience (who faced the Thunder in the 2012 NBA Finals) but is a solid on-ball defender and capable scorer. He won’t win a game for you but he won’t lose it for you either.

For more Oklahoma City Thunder, head over to ThunderousIntentions.com!
For more Oklahoma City Thunder, head over to ThunderousIntentions.com! /

They reluctantly ship off Kendrick Perkins’ expiring contract to bring in a proven low-post scorer in Charlotte’s Al Jefferson, who can get his points in the paint or from mid-range, something neither of OKC’s current centers (Perkins and Steven Adams) can do. Adams has started for most of the season but Scott Brooks could platoon him with Jefferson to maximize Adams’ superior defense while limiting Jefferson’s minutes and avoiding any injury. While “Big Al” has a large contract on the books, it expires in 2016, leaving OKC enough cap space to re-sign Kevin Durant while still keeping the Thunder’s championship window open for this season and the next.

The Hornets would get a solid post defender (Perkins), a young swingman with potential (Jeremy Lamb) and a point guard that can put up numbers similar to Walker. Jackson and Perkins both have contracts that expire at the end of this season so Charlotte owner Michael Jordan still have plenty of cap space to retool this summer (assuming they can move Lance Stephenson, too) and they’ll get a restart on their rebuilding plans.

Miami’s point guards have been woefully unproductive and giving a proven shooter like Gary Neal (who torched the Heat in the 2013 NBA Finals when he was with San Antonio) gives them a floor-spacer in their second unit.

Next: Miami goes after Lawson

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