Fansided

The definitive Oklahoma City Thunder schadenfreude rankings

By Bryan Toporek

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Rob Pelinka and Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers before the game against the LA Clippers during the game on October 19, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Rob Pelinka and Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers before the game against the LA Clippers during the game on October 19, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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5. Scott Perry and the Knicks

Two months after taking over as the New York Knicks’ general manager, Scott Perry made his first big move, shipping Carmelo Anthony to the Thunder for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and a 2018 second-round pick.

Considering what the Knicks gave up to obtain Anthony six years prior—Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov (before his contract was a punchline), Raymond Felton, Anthony Randolph, two future first-round picks and two second-round picks—the haul they received for him looked relatively paltry in comparison.

But in retrospect, Perry’s sell-low came not a moment too soon.

Anthony cratered as a third option in Oklahoma City, finishing with the fewest points per game (16.2) and worst shooting efficiency (40.4 percent) of his career. Perhaps he would have continued to trudge along as a high-volume, low-efficiency shooter in New York, but that wouldn’t have brought the Knicks much closer to the playoffs, particularly once Kristaps Porzingis tore his left ACL in early February.

McDermott didn’t exactly light it up for the Knicks—he averaged 7.2 points on 46.0 percent shooting across 55 games—but Kanter sure did. He led the team in rebounds (11.0 per game) and a host of advanced metrics, from player efficiency rating (24.0) to win shares (7.6). That could put New York in a hairy situation if he decides to decline his $18.6 million player option for next season in pursuit of a long-term deal, but the alternative was likely having Anthony gobble up $27.9 million of cap space next year regardless.

Perry might not pillaged the Thunder like Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge did with the Brooklyn Nets in the Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett trade, but getting a productive player in Kanter for a former star on his last legs in Anthony was a win nevertheless.

Next: 4. Ricky Rubio

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