Deal or no deal?
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix sees four Thunder players who could be on the market between now and the trade deadline on the 19th: Chris Wilcox, Nick Collison, Joe Smith and Earl Watson. His analysis:
Because interim coach Scott Brooks has done a good job settling players into their roles, a major shakeup is doubtful. But don’t expect GM Sam Presti to pass up a cost-cutting, draft-pick-returning deal for Watson or one of his big men.
Of the four, two — Wilcox and Smith — have expiring contracts. With Smith currently pulling more minutes than Wilcox, I have to figure Weezy is considered the more expendable. Watson’s contract runs through next season; Collison’s, the year after that.
Assuming, as I do, that the Thunder will re-sign Desmond Mason and will turn the remaining free agents loose, Oklahoma City will have about $45 million in salary next year, leaving $15-20 million in cap space. (The NBA trade rules are just this side of Byzantine.)
