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NBA Trade Grades: Thunder Get Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott From Chicago

By Phil Watson

Feb 1, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket between Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) and guard Jerian Grant (2) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket between Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) and guard Jerian Grant (2) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott (11) shoots a three pointer over Orlando Magic guard Mario Hezonja (8) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott (11) shoots a three pointer over Orlando Magic guard Mario Hezonja (8) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder got a couple of needed upgrades for the stretch run without surrendering a lot.

Indeed, Thunder fans have a lot to like with this deal.

Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder /

Oklahoma City Thunder

In Gibson, they get a veteran who had been a full-time starter for the first time in his career this season, his eighth in the league. In 55 games with Chicago, he had averaged 11.6 points and 7.0 rebounds in 27.3 minutes per game and had shot 52.1 percent from the floor.

He slots nicely into the 4 spot, moving rookie Domantas Sabonis to a reserve role, and helping Oklahoma City with its already strong plus-4.8 edge per game on the glass.

McDermott, meanwhile, has shot 37.6 percent from deep this season, down from last year’s 42.5 percent mark, but could work either off the bench or move into the starting 3 slot if coach Billy Donovan wants to replace the floor spacing lost by moving Sabonis to a reserve role.

Or if McDermott goes to the bench to keep Andre Roberson‘s defense with the first unit, McDermott creates the space Morrow was supposed to.

The one downside is that the Thunder become thin at the point guard spot, with only Semaj Christon on the roster behind Russell Westbrook (Victor Oladipo did play some 1 with Orlando, but … yeah … ).

So OKC may go shopping for free agent point guards, while considerably strengthening their frontcourt for the stretch run in the process. In all, this was a solid deal for the Thunder.

Grade: A-

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