The Thunder are in a tight battle against the Denver Nuggets in the second round. The series is tied at two games a piece, and it could very well go to seven games. However, the Thunder have had some very bad shooting splits throughout the entire playoffs. They had the chance to trade for a great three-point shooter, but they decided to stay quiet during the trade deadline. Now, not making a trade is hurting this Thunder squad in the playoffs.
No Move at the Trade Deadline is Hurting the Thunder
So far, the Thunder are shooting just 31.8 percent from three as a team in the playoffs. This has been a theme for two postseasons in a row, as the Thunder also shot 35.6 percent from deep last year. This has been a big problem with the Thunder and is hurting them right now. They tried fixing it during the 2024 trade deadline by acquiring Gordon Hayward, but this hurt the team more than anything. In the long run, it did lead to the signing of Isaiah Hartenstein, but this move did not improve the shooting for Oklahoma City.
Now, the Thunder are in the same spot as last postseason, with the series tied going into game five and horrible three-point numbers. This all could have been fixed, though, with one trade. During the deadline, it was rumored that Cameron Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets would be traded to the Thunder. The move ultimately never happened, but he would be the perfect fit to solve this problem in Bricktown.
Cameron Johnson Changes the Entire Series
Johnson was one of the best three-point shooters this season, shooting an impressive 39 percent from deep. This was all on 31.2 minutes per game and 7.2 three-point attempts a night. Now, he has flaws, like the fact that he is just an average defender. The Thunder do not need more defense, though. What they need is another shooter they can rely on. In the second round, they don’t have anyone they can depend on to make a three-point shot.
Usually off the bench, Isaiah Joe is the guy to give you a quick three, but he has seen his minutes decrease. In the second round, Joe has shot 33.3 percent from a distance in 10 minutes a game. During the last two games, he has missed every single shot. In both games, the Thunder lost, and Joe went scoreless. All they needed was him to hit one three, and they would have won both games.
It is not just Joe, either. Luguentz Dort is practically invisible offensively. Dort is shooting 25 percent from a distance on eight attempts a night. In the last three games, he has shot 4-for-23 from behind the arc. Now, he has hurt the Thunder more than anything else in the second round.
What Does A Johnson Trade Do
A package for Johnson would not have cost much, either. It would have included Isaiah Joe, Kenrich Williams, and a pick or two for a done deal. This trade could be made during the offseason, or we could see the team stand where they are. It depends on how far they make it in the playoffs. With Johnson on the Thunder, they would have swept the Nuggets by now. Still, the fact that the Thunder made no move at the deadline is proving to hurt them.
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