It's a brave, new world in the NBA thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement.
While many are lamenting the absence of major moves at the trade deadline, a number of shrewd general managers—such as Oklahoma City's Sam Presti—found a way to make under-the-radar deals that have the potential to pay huge dividends in the postseason.
Case in point: OKC's deadline day trade for New York Knicks' swingman Ronnie Brewer. Two months before the playoffs, the Thunder acquired one of the league's toughest wing defenders for a 2014 second-round pick and cash considerations.
It's the type of deal that typically didn't go down in seasons past, but with roster spots at a premium (the Knicks needed to free up space in order to sign Kenyon Martin), and luxury tax concerns on every team's mind, those franchises who are relatively flexible at the trade deadline can make out like bandits.
Brewer will immediately step in and be the stopper of the Thunder's second unit for roughly 15 minutes per night, and Oklahoma City essentially got him for free. And if Thabo Sefolosha is out of the lineup for an extended period of time, Brewer can easily ...
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Article written by Roy Burton
Oklahoma City Thunder Setting the Bar for NBA Front Offices
February 23rd, 2013 by Roy Burton Leave a reply »
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