NBA Trade Grades: 3-Team Deal Involving Dion Waiters
Oklahoma City Thunder
When these trade rumors started circulating on Twitter, Reggie Jackson was reported as being sent to the New York Knicks. Now that we know that isn’t the case, we can put away the same pitchforks and torches we had left over from the incredibly cheapskate James Harden trade and relax a little bit.
For all the reports about Waiters being a cancer in Cleveland, he’s still a young and talented asset who could be a big help to OKC off the bench. Scott Brooks might try moving Reggie Jackson to the starting lineup along Russell Westbrook, giving the Thunder one of the best starting lineups in the league without losing that patented bench scoring the Thunder have enjoyed for years now.
For those asking: Thunder NOT trading Reggie Jackson, Kendrick Perkins or Jeremy Lamb. All here in Oakland getting ready for game vs. GSW
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 6, 2015
This deal comes with some risk however. While no one will weep over losing Lance Thomas (except for poor Lance Thomas himself), if Waiters grows dissatisfied with his new team, how long before he starts causing problems for a team that, when healthy, can challenge anyone in the NBA?
This is a bit of a swing for the fences; the Thunder are either going to hit a home run or strike out in glorious fashion. Perhaps Waiters could serve as long-term insurance for upcoming free agent Reggie Jackson, but I’m sure I speak for all Thunder fans when I say I’m tired of seeing this front office sacrifice talent and a future dynasty just to avoid the luxury tax. Funnily enough though, this deal does put OKC into the luxury tax for the first time…for now.
Grade: B+