Guide to the NBA trade deadline: Thunder

The Vertical Front-Office Insider Bobby Marks, a 20-year executive with the Nets, breaks down the Oklahoma City Thunder’s situation as the Feb. 18 trade deadline approaches.

HANG UP IF THEY ASK ABOUT …
Starters and rotation players
Do not disrupt the chemistry in the locker room.

The Thunder have built this team through the draft and via trades. Like most teams in the NBA, Oklahoma City will listen but is not looking to making a deal. The Thunder have the depth to play long into June.

After a slow start, Oklahoma City has rattled off 33 wins in its last 41 games. After adjusting to new coach Billy Donovan, the Thunder have been one of the best teams in the NBA. Every player has a defined role and a sudden change in the upcoming week could have a drastic effect in the long run.

The Thunder have done a stellar job in recent drafts of finding hidden talent. Oklahoma City has always prioritized player development and retaining its own young players. With a rising cap in the future, the Thunder have a clear advantage with six players still on their rookie contracts.

Even seldom used guard D.J. Augustin should be off the table. In a league void of backup point guards, Augustin could come in handy during playoff time, especially with rookie Cam Payne having no playoff experience.

A subtle move
Steve Novak
In the final year of his contract, veteran Steve Novak could be a trade chip. However, unlike previous years, expiring contracts are not valued as much around the league.

NO-TRADE CLAUSE OR WITH A RESTRICTION
Enes Kanter
Kanter cannot be traded without his permission for one-year and cannot be traded to Portland. The clause is called a “matched offer sheet restriction.” When Oklahoma City matched the Trail Blazers’ offer sheet for Kanter last summer, this clause was triggered.

MOVE THAT PUSHES THE NEEDLE
Consistency and trust are the Thunder’s best bets to flourish in the postseason.

TREASURE CHEST OF PICKS
Solid with former first-round picks
Philadelphia will have the Thunder’s first-round pick. Although protected Nos. 1-16, Oklahoma City is a lock to make the playoffs.

As part of the Kanter trade, Oklahoma City owes Utah a first-round pick commencing in 2018. The pick is lottery protected and will carryover to 2019 and ’20, with protection in the top 14 if not conveyed in 2018. If the Jazz do not receive a pick in any of the above years, then the Thunder will send second-round picks to Utah in 2020 and ’21.

Oklahoma City cannot trade its first-round pick until 2022. This date will change based on what year the Thunder trade Utah a first.

AVAILABLE TRADE EXCEPTIONS
The Thunder have four trade exceptions at their disposal.

From the Reggie Jackson trade last February, a $2.2 million exception was created and will expire at the deadline. Oklahoma City also has an $861,405 exception that will also expire next week.

The remaining exceptions of $2.75 million and $2 million will expire later this summer.

POST-TRADE DEADLINE ROSTER MOVEMENT
Oklahoma City currently has 15 guaranteed contracts.

Like most playoff teams, the Thunder will pay attention to the March 1 waiver deadline.

SNEAK PEEK TOWARD JULY
All eyes this summer will be on the Thunder and Kevin Durant, their prized free-agent All-Star. The Thunder have a clear advantage over other free-agent suitors with money, years and a team built to win now. And unlike other teams, Oklahoma City would not have to gut its team to sign Durant.

The Thunder’s cap situation will not be clear until Durant either stays put or signs with another team. Factor in restricted free agent Dion Waiters’ $12.8 million cap hold and Oklahoma City is technically over the cap.

If Durant does leave and Oklahoma City does not elect to bring Waiters back, the Thunder could have $19 million in cap space. Although it is nice to have cap space, this is the scenario Thunder management will want to avoid.

INSIDER INFO
Years of service will be linked to Durant’s name this summer.

Because he will have nine years of service in July, he will be eligible for a starting max salary of $25 million. However, if Durant were to sign a one-year contract and enter free agency in 2017, his max salary would jump to a starting number of $35 million. The league breaks up the projected max salary slot into three tiers: zero to six years, seven to nine years, and 10-plus years.

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