Oklahoma City Thunder: Was no action the best course of action this trade deadline?

The 2019/20 NBA trade deadline came and went without the Oklahoma City Thunder doing anything drastic, or anything at all. Was sitting pretty until the summer the right call?

There was NBA-wide speculation that the Oklahoma City Thunder would act as sellers this trade deadline and garner assets to “retool” or perhaps even rebuild. But instead, given an unexpected different set of circumstances, the team decided to stay the course and keep their core intact. Was that the right decision?

Entering the season, it was widely believed that the Thunder may look to shed Chris Paul and his lucrative contract to a contender. His name was repeatedly thrown around the trade block with numerous blogs playing the role of general manager, constructing hypothetical packages through the season. However, their efforts thus far have been all for naught. The now-10-time NBA All-Star is still a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder with his market never really gaining ground.

Steven Adams was also no stranger to trade speculation, as his services could have aided a contender in a short-sighted “win now” mode. Ironically enough, he was heavily linked with the Atlanta Hawks—who opted instead to deal with the Houston Rockets for the services of Clint Capela and reacquired a familiar face in Dewayne Dedmon.

Then there were also rumors surrounding Dennis Schroder and the Los Angeles Lakers. However, they never really got their boots off the ground.

Entering this Thursday’s deadline, discussion around Danilo Gallinari and his $22,615,559 expiring contract was what really had momentum. Pat Riley and the Miami Heat had their eyes on Gallo, and when that happens…you often end up in a Heat uniform. But the logistics of the trade were too much to overcome.

So, despite some doses of anxiety overwhelming fans of the franchise who pondered what a return package might look like with Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN informing the Twittersphere that Miami had intentions of acquiring Gallinari, nothing materialized. This also means Sam Presti did not make a deal for the sole sake of making one—something that other GMs often fall victim to. It’s good news, it is.

Likewise, it’s also welcoming to see the Oklahoma City Thunder not attempt to duck the tax by jettisoning assets. No need to reopen old wounds there.

The team that has blown preseason expectations out of the water with a 31-20 record while only sitting 2.5 games back from hosting a playoff series are still together. For the time being, that’s what you want.

In the summer, Presti could look to seriously shuffle the deck. Gallinari represents an intriguing sign-and-trade upside and the market for their other veterans is there.

But until then, riding this out seems like the best course of action. Trade talks can be revisited in the exciting and frantic days of an NBA summer.