Winners of the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline

Written by Taylor Odenat 

It’s been over a week since the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline, and there weren’t many blockbuster trades. However, there were several smaller trades that will show to have a significant impact on the future of the season for certain franchises. Some teams made some questionable decisions at the deadline, but others definitely came out on top at the trade cutoff.

Los Angeles Clippers

Trade: Los Angeles Clippers traded Lance Stephenson to the Memphis Grizzlies for Jeff Green and a first-round draft pick.

The Memphis Grizzlies have an interesting infatuation with players who can’t shoot if their lives depended on it. With this transaction, the Grizzlies have acquired guard Lance Stephenson and all of his issues. He signed with the Clippers during the offseason and they hoped they would be getting the Lance that lead the league in triple doubles in Indiana. However, they signed the Lance that was extremely unproductive in Charlotte. The Clippers were able to unload the undeserving $9 million salary that they were paying Stephenson, while obtaining an efficient bench presence in Jeff Green. The Grizzlies decision to relinquish Green was quite questionable, seeing as he was an athletic body that scored 12.2 ppg at a 43% clip. Nonetheless, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure; and the Clippers definitely struck gold.

Phoenix Suns

Trade: The Phoenix Suns traded Morris to the Washington Wizards for Kris Humphries, DeJuan Blair and a protected first-round pick.

Markieff Morris was an absolute disturbance to the Phoenix Suns, expressing his displeasure with his location for months. The trade of his twin brother, Marcus, to the Detroit Pistons filled him with anger, and from that point on he distanced himself from the Suns organization. His existence on that team was one of the several causes of the disaster that has been Phoenix’s season. They fired their former coach Jeff Hornacek, their leading scorer Eric Bledsoe received season-ending surgery, their max contract guard Brandon Knight has been in and out of the lineup, and Tyson Chandler’s career is rapidly declining. However, making this trade got rid of the nuisance that was Morris, and allowed them to gain access to a potential lottery pick in a top-heavy 2016 Draft.

Aaron Gordon and the Detroit Pistons

Trade: The Detroit Pistons traded Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova to the Orlando Magic for Tobias Harris.

The Detroit Pistons on paper got the better half of this trade, receiving Tobias Harris for Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova. Although the Pistons already have a forward that plays similar to Harris, Marcus Morris, his floor spacing ability, mid-range jumpers, and rebounding prowess will all be of great use to the Motor City come playoff time. So far in six games with Detroit, Harris already shooting better from the field, shooting better from three, completing more free throws, and scoring more points per contest. The Pistons needed to get rid of Jennings anyway, so being able to get a workhorse forward in return is quite the accomplishment.

After his ridiculous All-Star Weekend Dunk Contest performance, the Orlando Magic finally seemed to realize the talent they have at their midst. Gordon is loaded with potential and flashed his offensive upside during the Summer League this past off-season. This trade will free up minutes for Gordon at the four and allow him to develop his offensive skills. We’ll never know if the exchange came about because Orlando finally noticed his talent, or because Tobias doesn’t stick around too often on teams that are coached by Scott Skiles.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harrito02.html, http://espn.go.com/nba/transactions/_/date/20160222, http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/2/28/11128948/coach-watson-makes-alex-len-the-suns-top-scoring-option

Portland Becoming a Problem out West

                                                           Written by Taylor Odenat

The Portland Trail Blazers, led by possible MVP candidate Damian Lillard and Most Improved Player candidate C.J. McCollum, are becoming a force to be reckoned with. What seemed improbable at the beginning of the season is now inevitable, as the Blazers are surprisingly in the playoff picture out West. Under performing teams, such as the Rockets and Mavericks, have allowed the Blazers to barrel their way into the seventh seed in their conference. They have lost two games in the month of February, finishing with a record of 9-2; astounding NBA fans everywhere. If they continue their success, they’ll be able to push their way past the Mavericks and the Grizzlies; taking over the 6th seed. Rip City has become this season’s most remarkable and surprising team, after losing practically their whole starting lineup to free agency. 

Damian Lillard has been on an absolute tear in February, scoring 30 or more points seven times, and dropping a career-high 51 points against the top seeded Golden State Warriors. Additionally, he tallied up his 6th 4-point play of the season; which leads the league. The Blazers don’t have a roster that screams playoff bound, but with McCollum and Lillard their potential is sky high. They may fall victim to a first round exit, but the Blazers will certainly put up a fight against whoever they're facing. Lillard may even have the ability to compete in a seven-game series against his old running mate, LaMarcus Aldridge, if Portland remains in the seventh seed come postseason time. 

The Blazers are one great draft pick or one big free agent away from being a legitimate contender. While teams should consider them an issue, they aren’t an actual threat to reach the NBA Finals. Al-Farouq Aminu is playing exceedingly better than advertised, but the Blazers need more than 10 points per game from their starting small forward. They need to improve on their wing scoring, their bench depth, and frontcourt assistance. Meyers Leonard and Mason Plumlee have been producing nightly, but if the Blazers have the chance to acquire a big man then that should be one of their main priorities. Before their explosion, the Blazers seemed to be in a prime position to draft Utah Utes’ Jakob Poeltl; however, that may not be as attainable any longer. Regardless of who they draft or acquire in the off-season, the Portland Trail Blazers have an outstanding backcourt that they can build around for the future of their franchise.

http://www.nba.com/blazers/schedule, http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aminual01.html

The Knicks Fire Derek Fisher

 

Written by Taylor Odenat

Before February 8, 2016, four NBA head coaches have already lost their jobs at the helm; now that number has been increased to five with the addition of Derek Fisher. Phil Jackson fired his former player from his gig as coach of the struggling New York Knicks. When Phil Jackson came aboard, he hired Fisher with the hopes that he would teach the Knick players the way of the triangle offense; being that he was a point guard for Jackson spanning over nine seasons. However, the New York Knicks are doing worse than they were prior to hiring Fisher to replace Mike Woodson in the 2014-2015 season. 

The Knicks have always been a dysfunctional organization for several different reasons. They have a front office lead by one of the most hated men in sports,  they are trying to execute a system that doesn’t fit their players, they are void of first round draft picks to acquire younger players, and the player that they gave an extension to over the summer of 2014 hinders them from actually making any forward progress. The firing of Fisher just adds on to the known flawed organization that is run in New York. 

The failure of the Knicks thus far isn’t on Derek Fisher himself, he is being used as a scapegoat by Phil Jackson and the front office. The Knicks organization gave Fisher a team that isn’t very gifted on offense nor defense, and expected him to coach the team to a winning record. The Knicks have no depth and a lack of offensive production past Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and Arron Afflalo. Fisher shouldn’t have to take full responsibility of the disappointment that this Knick season has been. Porzingis continues to make noise but besides his exciting play since being drafted, the Knicks don’t have another player to develop. Anthony will continue being the offensive stopper that he has been for his whole career, so there’s no hope in changing that at this point. Don’t be fooled by his career high 4.2 apg this season, he is still very capable of constant isos and inefficient jumpers. 

Hopefully, Phil Jackson has some sort of plan in place to revive the New York Knicks and release them from their three season playoff drought. Firing his head coach wouldn’t be the first step in that direction for the sake of continuity, but if he has a better option lined up then maybe the decision was for the best. The current pool of fired head coaches does not lack experience at the position. This season, the NBA has seen Kevin McHale get fired by the Rockets, Jeff Hornacek get fired by the Phoenix Suns, David Blatt get fired by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Lionel Hollins get fired by the Brooklyn Nets. Of all four of these coaches, only Jeff Hornacek hasn’t made the playoffs. In addition to these contenders, Jackson can also choose from defensive savvy Tom Thibodeau, the inspiring Mark Jackson, or assistants just waiting for that career-altering phone call. There’s also the option of going with another one of his former players, which may actually be his best bet at this point.

Luke Walton or Brian Shaw should be Jackson’s next hire at the coaching position in New York. Granted, neither has been a head coach for a long period of time. Walton has only been an assistant prior to being interim coach of the Warriors for half the season, while Shaw has only been at the position for a season and a half with the Denver Nuggets. However, if Jackson desires that the team runs this system that not many coaches know how to run, then he’s going to have to slightly lower his standards. Additionally, once he makes the hire he can’t turn around and fire them at the first sign of trouble. He needs to be patient and realize that the team he signed to be President of is not all that good right now. Steph seemed to enjoy his time with Walton as his coach, and although Shaw’s track record with players isn’t the best; he does deserve another opportunity as head coach to prove that he’s capable.

Who is the Best Shooting Guard in the NBA?

Written by Dylan Hunter Carter

Over the past few weeks of NBA Basketball, we’ve witnessed some of the best competition at the Shooting Guard position since the primes of Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady. Although the position may not have the immense depth of other positions, it certainly has the talent to match. Young talents such as Jimmy Butler and Klay Thompson have taken the league by storm with their explosive styles of play while familiar faces such as Dwyane Wade and James Harden continue to lead their respective teams toward victory. While each player is holding their ground, only one can be named the best shooting guard in the NBA. Here are the NBA’s top 5 shooting guards.

Honorable Mentions:

Victor Oladipo, Bradley Beal, C.J. McCollum, Manu Ginobili, and Khris Middleton

5. Dwyane Wade

Although we are far past the glory days of Dwyane Wade, he still remains one of the top players at his position, even at 33 years old. In 30 MPG, Wade is averaging 18.1 PPG with 4.6 RPG, 4 APG, and a steal. Wade also has the fourth higher PER at the SG position with 20.55. Although his stats are not spectacular, there is no number value to prove Wade’s worth as a leader, competitor, and spark plug for the Miami Heat. Wade’s resurgence in his 12th year in the league has been an invigorating experience for basketball fans everywhere.

4. DeMar Derozan

For years, DeMar Derozan has put up consistently strong numbers without much recognition. Even as the Raptors have emerged as a strong contender in the Eastern Conference, Derozan has been overlooked by the rest of the league. Now, through 37 games player, DeRozan averages a solid 22.8 PPG on 44% shooting along with 4.6 RPG and 4.1 APG. He also has the 3rd highest PER at the shooting guard position and 29th in the league. DeRozan’s fast paced and athletic play style makes him a matchup nightmare for any defender.

3. Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson’s shooting prowess is nearly unmatched at this point in time. His ability to create shots and to extend above defenders to release his is a sight to behold. Although he is primarily known for his shooting abilities, Thompson is actually an incredibly skillful all-around player. Thompson is currently averaging 20.5 PPG on 46% shooting and a stellar 44% shooting from 3 Point territory. Thompson’s size, quickness, shooting abilities, and defensive capabilities make him one of the best underrated players at the shooting guard position.

2. James Harden

Although he has had ups and downs in his 4 years as a Houston Rocket, there is no question about James Harden’s scoring abilities. Whether it be in isolation, catch and shoot, or fast break scenarios, Harden is always a threat to the opposing defense. Harden currently leads all shooting guards in PER with 24.35 in his 45 games played. Harden currently averages 27.6 PPG on 42% shooting along with 6 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game. While his stats do portray his fantastic offensive prowess, they do not reflect his atrocious on-ball defense. Harden and his defense have become a laughingstock amongst NBA fans and players everywhere. If Harden could push himself to improve as a defender, he could easily solidify himself as a top 5 player in the NBA, but he will not reach that status until his defense improves.

1. Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler is often criticized as “overrated” or a “system player”, but the past few weeks have been a true testament to the skill of this young shooting guard. In the month of January, Butler is averaging 26.5 PPG on 46% shooting from the field along with 5.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists. Through the downfall of a once dominant Bulls team headlined by Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah came the growth of Butler as a player and as a leader. Butler’s ambition, leadership, and Basketball IQ have all grown immensely in his 4 years as a Chicago Bull. Butler’s defensive abilities and strong all around presence have defined him as the best at his position.

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/307/files/2014/02/8312134-850x560.jpg

There Must be a Change in the All-Star Game

                                                      Written by Taylor Odenat

As of January 21, 2016, the All Star Starters for the 2016 NBA Star Game in Toronto, Canada were announced for both conferences. The starting lineup for the Eastern Conference will be: Kyle Lowry and Dwyane Wade in the backcourt, followed by Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Paul George in the frontcourt. For the Western Conference, their starting lineup will consist of: Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook in the backcourt, followed by Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Kobe Bryant in the frontcourt.

Every year there is a problem with what the fans have decided through their voting. Last year, it was Kobe Bryant starting over MVP-candidate James Harden. This year, the popularity contest strikes again, as several worthy players were not voted into the starting lineup. Players such as Andre Drummond, Hassan Whiteside, DeMarcus Cousins, and MVP-candidate Draymond Green will all miss out on the joys of being voted by the fans to be the first five on the court. Andre Drummond is averaging career numbers across the board. He’s pulling down a career-high 15.5 rpg to go along with a career-high 17.7 ppg. Not to mention his Detroit Pistons are sixth in the Eastern Conference at this point in the season. Hassan Whiteside has blocked the most shots in the league and leads the league at a massive four blocks per game. Draymond Green may be on a team with current MVP Stephen Curry, but he is the Most Valuable Player on that roster by far. He can score, pass, rebound, and defend at a high level, and is redefining his position.

Fan favorites Jeremy Lin and Kyrie Irving both almost snuck their way into the All-Star starting lineup as well. So on top of the first five having a lack of centers, they would also have a player who comes off the bench for his team, and a player who has only played 15 games this season. At some point, the mantra “All-Star Weekend is for the fans” gets a little out of hand when players who have barely played or don’t start for their teams can almost crack the starting lineup.

A few seasons ago, the NBA wiped away the center position from the All-Star Ballot, thus making it harder than ever for an actual big man to be selected in the big game. Granted, there are spots coming off the bench for players to be chosen, where coaches decipher who they believe is worthy of being a reserve. Nevertheless, even that is not enough; there will still be deserving players who will be shunned in the eyes of the coaches.

The NBA should revert back to its original voting of each position, instead of combining the positions into frontcourt and backcourt. In that format, big men who work hard every game for their teams receive some recognition. Especially the big men who are actually heading their team to a playoff spot, unlike a forward such as Carmelo Anthony starting; whose team is sitting behind the Miami Heat at ninth in the Eastern Conference. To give Anthony credit he is finally learning to distribute the ball, averaging a career-high 4.1 apg. However, him nor James should be receiving minutes at the five when there are eligible and more deserving players who could take his place.

Additionally, fans shouldn’t have as much total influence in the voting of the All-Star Starters as they do now. Regardless of who is the first five to play, the game will be entertaining to watch. There will no defense played, alley-oops thrown, and ESPN highlight-reel plays no matter who's on the court. Fans should have weight of who gets selected, but players should also have a say in who is chosen. The players can select who they believe should be starting and they can’t chose themselves or players on their own team. That way, it's a mixture of the fans and the players and the results will lead to a starting lineup of personnel who have played top notch basketball for the first half of the season.

While changes may never be made to the popularity contest that is All-Star voting, Adam Silver and the fans need to understand that although it is a weekend “for the fans”, the players who play and make the league millions of dollars earned some recognition on the big stage as well. The popularity competition needs to cease; effective immediately. Hopefully with the leadership of Adam Silver, the NBA will find a compromise so the game is based on merit and not entirely on fan favoritism.

http://www.sbnation.com/nba-news-basketball/archives/4, http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2016/01/21/all-star-starters-announced/, http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/irvinky01.html, http://www.nba-allstar.com/ballot/how-complete-coaches-nba-all-star-reserves.htm, http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/whiteha01.html, http://www.hothothoops.com/2016/1/5/10707322/100-games-hassan-whitesides-greatest-statistical-accomplishments

Fixing the Milwaukee Bucks

                                                        Written by Taylor Odenat

Just a season ago the Milwaukee Bucks were a team on the rise. They finished the 2014-2015 season with a record of 41-41, and entered the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. That playoff berth was the franchise’s first trip to the postseason since getting swept by the Miami Heat two seasons prior. Coming into this season, it would be expected that the Bucks would build on their semi-successful season; however, that would not be the case. Their record at this point last year was two games above .500 at 21-19. Currently, their record is 18-25, and they are on the outside looking in of the playoff picture. There has to be changes in Milwaukee before the trade deadline approaches, otherwise the Bucks will fall back into their strong habits of being mediocre and non-threatening in the Eastern Conference.

The Bucks have an apparent fear of shooting three-pointers. They shoot 15.9 threes per game, which is the second-lowest clip in the league. The Bucks possess no three-point shooters besides Jerryd Bayless, who receives 29 mpg, and their million dollar man Khris Middleton. They both shoot above 40% from three, but beyond those two players it’s hard to find another shooter on that roster. The Bucks personnel is stacked with players who live in the paint and aren’t capable of consistently making jump shots. Michael Carter-Williams has improved his stroke since arriving to Milwaukee, improving from a putrid 14% from three to an average 36%. However, this team needs more than Middleton, Bayless, and Carter-Williams slightly improving his shot to make it out from their low rank of thirteenth in the Eastern Conference.

The Bucks have three bigs with loads of potential in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, and Greg Monroe. In a perfect world, the Bucks would be able to keep all of these non-shooters and excel in their conference. That hasn’t been the case so far, as they all work in and around the painted area. Parker displayed potential of developing a jumpshot through his 35 games in Duke, where he shot 36% from three. It obviously has been a rough transition seeing as Parker has attempted only 6 threes and missed all 6 of them. Giannis isn’t one to favor jumpshots either as he is only shooting 22% on three pointers so far this season. Greg Monroe was never really known for his three-point shooting and hasn’t taken one to this point. So the main question is, which player has to go?

Greg Monroe leads the Milwaukee Bucks in win shares at 4.0, rebounds per game at 9.8, and is second on the team in points per game at 15.2. Which makes this a difficult decision for the Bucks but it has to be done; Monroe must be the player that gets shipped off. Some may question the logic of trading Monroe after signing him to a three-year, $50 million deal over the offseason. However, although he is young, Giannis and Jabari both possess more potential and talent/skill to become two of the league’s best forwards if they continue to develop. Additionally, Giannis and Jabari are both still on their rookie deals;  Antetokounmpo from ‘13 and Parker from ‘14. 

It would be wise for the Bucks to take advantage of the great season Monroe is putting together. In return, they should look to receive a player with a consistent jump shot, a veteran to assist in further team progression, or a lottery draft pick in this upcoming draft. A possible trade that the Bucks should explore is:

Milwaukee Bucks        New Orleans Pelicans

Greg Monroe      $16.4 million                        Ryan Anderson          $8.5 million

     Omer Asik                  $9.2 million

With this trade, the Pelicans get a young, low-post oriented big man to lineup next to superstar Anthony Davis, while the Bucks get in return a veteran big man who will play his role and a stretch-four to fill their desperate need of a shooter.

Whether the Bucks make a trade similar to this or not, something needs to change because this season will be a lost one if they don’t evaluate their issues and figure out what has to be done to fix them.

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/new_orleans_pelicans/, http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/monrogr01.html, http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/team/_/stat/offense-per-game/sort/threePointFieldGoalPct, http://www.landofbasketball.com/results_by_team/2014_2015_bucks.htm, http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Milwaukee-Bucks/16/Playoff-History, http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/2016.html

NBA Players in Dire Need of a Change of Location

A change of scenery can cure the careers  of these NBA stars.

The 'Money' Manziel Experiment in Cleveland is Ready to Conclude

Written by Taylor Odenat

Johnny Manziel, formerly ‘Money’ Manziel, out of Texas A&M touts an above-average college career, headlined by his 2012 Heisman Trophy victory. After waving off his junior season of collegiate football, Manziel entered the 2014 NFL Draft. He was questionably selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 22nd pick of the first round, and criticism of his game would appear to increase from that point on. He was widely regarded as “immature” off the field and some didn’t think he would be able to overcome that and make the transition to the NFL. Even a teammate of Johnny’s on the Browns, who gave his statement anonymously, stated that his 2014 season was an “100% joke.” Manziel hardly got off the bench and played a total of seven quarters in that season, finishing the season with 18 of 35 passes completed with two interceptions. 

After mustering up a disastrous rookie season for the Browns, he hoped that his sophomore season would be different. The Browns had faith in Manziel, trusting that he would improve from the season prior. Inevitably, that trust and faith would be misguided as Manziel continued his nightlife shenanigans. He eventually seemed more dedicated to his life after football, rather than his career on the field. Manziel may have not been drafted with the intention of leading the franchise to an above .500 record, however; the quarterback position was not set in stone so he had the chance to be the cornerstone. Manziel was given several opportunities to prove he could be the man for the Browns, and the franchise quarterback for the future that the franchise so desperately needs. Following a temporary injury to fellow quarterback Josh McCown, Manziel was declared the indefinite starter and given that supreme opportunity to convince his team and the rest of the NFL of his worth. However, instead of making use of the valuable chance he was given, Manziel was demoted back to third string after videos arose of him partying during a bye week. Manziel was given the torch by the Browns, but he preferred to drop it rather than run with it. 

No mistake should be made in suggesting that Manziel is an insufficient quarterback. He is a terrific athlete, great on the run and has a capable arm to go along with his large hands. The situation just boiled down to the Browns being an under the radar team, and Manziel not being an under the radar personnel. Cleveland tried to distort and transform him into the kind of player they wanted him to be. The type of player who would rather sit at home and study plays or analyze the playbook, rather than go partying in Vegas; as he did this past Saturday. Nonetheless, there is a team that fits Manziel’s personality mold: The Dallas Cowboys. 

In retrospect, this may turn out to be a disaster. Dallas headed by their owner, president, and general manager Jerry Jones, who is a known fan of Manziel, is not one to cower to the spotlight; and neither is Manziel. He was getting months of media coverage before he was even in the league and didn’t mind the continuous attention. Going to Dallas would definitely put all eyes on Manziel and the Cowboys, but he would be able to handle the adversity. The young QB even expressed interest in the organization. The Cowboys have a hole at the quarterback position with Romo’s constant injuries, leaving Kellen Moore to lead the charge in times of need. Tony Romo missed 12 games of this past regular season and he’s certainly won't be getting any younger or durable. ‘Money’ Manziel has potential and upside, he just requires the correct environment to grow. 

By no means does the change of scenery to ‘America’s Team’ automatically signify that Manziel will change his ways, but the QB desires to go there. Being in a comfortable situation with a GM who will suit his needs could be just what the 23-year-old needs in his development to recapture his, so far, failing NFL career.

http://www.footballnation.com/content/cowboys-owner-jerry-jones-7-reasons-we-love-to-hate-jerr-ah/11993/, http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/johnny-manziel?id=2543462, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24986501/report-teammate-said-johnny-manziel-was-a-100-percent-joke, http://deadspin.com/johnny-manziel-is-about-done-in-cleveland-1750887128

Are the OKC Thunder a Stepping Stone to Brighter Opportunities?

                                                   Written by Taylor Odenat

The Oklahoma City Thunder are excellent at drafting, training players, and assisting in the progression of their skills and talents. Kevin Durant was drafted second by OKC in the 2007 NBA Draft, and is arguably a top-three player in this league. Russell Westbrook was drafted fourth in 2008 NBA Draft, and is a top-five player at his position. However, it’s the careers and improved numbers that certain players have been able to put together after their departure from Oklahoma City that has surprised the masses. 

           James Harden, Reggie Jackson, and now Jeremy Lamb, all share a common similarity. Beside the fact that they are all shooting guards that previously played for the Thunder, the comparisons go beyond that.

           Harden was traded from the Thunder to the Houston Rockets in the offseason leading up to the 2012-2013 season for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and a few draft picks. Since then, James Harden has been the undoubted star of the Rockets and has taken the squad to heights as far as the Western Conference Finals. Back in Oklahoma City, Harden was a mere sixth man. Although he was rather successful in that role, winning the Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2011, he was being underused in Oklahoma City.

           During his tenure, the team elected to start the defensive-minded guard Thabo Sefolosha in lieu of starting Harden; deciding to bring offensive energy off the bench. In retrospect, the lineup was rather rewarding as the Thunder battled to the promise land and reached the 2012 NBA Finals. Be that as it may, Harden had the potential to be much more than just a sixth man playing behind an aging Sefolosha. His trade from OKC was the best case scenario for his career, the Rockets were a team who needed a star and Harden was a player who needed to head his own team. With the addition of Dwight Howard a season later, the Rockets now are a significantly better team that they once were because of Harden.

           Next up in line to receive the good fortune of leaving the Thunder was Boston College attendee; Reggie Jackson. Similar to Harden, Jackson served as an offensive punch off the bench. Once Harden was traded away, he needed to be that strong presence behind Westbrook at the point. Jackson did thrive in that role, but desired much more from his basketball career. Tensions would eventually brew in the OKC locker room as Jackson saw himself to be a starter in this league. Westbrook started ahead of him, and although Reggie is a superb player; he was not starting ahead of the league’s most athletic point guard. Jackson eventually requested a trade, believing that his talents weren’t being used to the fullest. Players in the Thunder locker room didn’t take kindly to his attitude and leaders such as Kevin Durant made it known verbally through statements such as “We felt like everybody wanted to be here except for one guy."

           Jackson inevitably got his wish and was soon traded in a three-team deal to the Detroit Pistons, who were in dire need of a point guard following the season-ending injury to Brandon Jennings.  From that point onward, Reggie Jackson proved that he actually was worth more than the role OKC gave him, identical to Harden a season prior. He finished the 2014-2015 season averaging career numbers in points, minutes, rebounds, and assists. While he may not be able to maintain any friendship or even business relationships with the men on OKC’s roster, his trade was the best thing that could have happened for him and Detroit. Jackson left a situation where he was unable to climb a ladder or progress to instead lead a up-and-coming Pistons team with hope for the future.

           The most recent sixth man to leave the Thunder to experience greener pastures is Jeremy Lamb of the Charlotte Hornets. Lamb was traded to the Hornets for Luke RIdnour and a second round pick leading up to this season in an effort to clear cap space. He never really complained about his role, but he is in a more advancing situation with Charlotte. Nicholas Batum, who starts over Lamb, isn’t a superstar so there is possibility of earning a starting spot down the road over the aging forward. Additionally, the Hornets seem to have immense faith in Lamb seeing as they granted him a three-year, $21 million contract extension. In 22 games, The Hornets are already utilizing Lamb more than OKC did giving him 24 mpg as opposed to the 14 mpg that he averaged playing for the Thunder. Jeremy Lamb may not make as much consistent noise for his team as Harden and Jackson do, but leaving Oklahoma City is definitely putting his career in an uphill direction.

           Now, the big question entering this offseason for the Thunder is; will Kevin Durant be the next to leave Oklahoma City? Granted, his reason for leaving or getting traded wouldn’t be for lack of minutes or insignificant role. His reasons would lean towards Oklahoma City not going beyond the Western Conference Finals since the 2013-2014 season or him having to share the spotlight with guard Russell Westbrook. Keeping in mind the examples of Harden, Jackson, and Lamb, Durant will have to decide if he will sign an extension and continue to attempt to bring the Thunder a championship or if he will leave a gain new opportunities in a new city.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2012.html, http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--thunder-trade-jeremy-lamb-to-hornets-164852904.html, http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6603/jeremy-lamb, http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/2/19/8073009/kevin-durant-seems-pretty-happy-reggie-jackson-got-traded, http://www.hngn.com/articles/48643/20141107/nba-rumors-oklahoma-city-thunder-locker-room-controversy-between-reggie-jackson-and-kendrick-perkins.html