Oklahoma City Thunder: Grading The Offseason

Mar 22, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) congratulates Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) after a play against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 21, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Perry Jones (3) reacts after a play in action against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Trading Perry Jones

In the Thunder’s haste to shed salary, Perry Jones III became the second victim, getting shipped away to the Boston Celtics — along with a 2019 second round pick and cash — in exchange for a protected 2018 second round pick. Should the Thunder choose to replace Jones with second round pick Dakari Johnson, they’ll still save about $5 million in salary and tax payments.

OKC created a small trade exception with this deal and as Jones entered the final year of his contract, it appears the Thunder no longer had faith that this soon-to-be 24-year-old was going to pan out. After scoring a career-high 32 points in the second game of the season, Jones scored a grand total of 149 points the rest of the way.

But am I alone in wishing Jones had gotten more of a chance to thrive in Oklahoma City? There aren’t many 6’11” small forwards with such a massive wingspan running around this league, after all. The logic behind the move makes sense, but the return in the deal wasn’t great either.

Grade: C+

Next: Overall

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