Deron Williams (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Oklahoma City Thunder could emerge as a potential destination for Deron Williams, with the Dallas Mavericks expected to be sellers on the trade market before the February 2017 trade deadline.
The Mavs are already looking like a lottery team in the first half of the season, and while the team has been reluctant to immediately consider any deals, many expect Dallas to make moves before the deadline in hopes of rebuilding for next season.
According to J.C. Fischer of Hashtag Basketball, Deron Williams could be one of the trade chips the Mavs could consider, and among the potential landing spots for the veteran point guard could be the Thunder.
"Other potential destinations are Orlando, Oklahoma City (which desperately needs minutes behind Westbrook, and someone who could play with him off ball), Sacramento, Philadelphia, or Milwaukee. Each of those teams could use a three-point shooter and a ballhandler to various degrees," Fischer wrote.
The Thunder have a very thin rotation of backup point guards, with Cameron Payne yet to make his season debut due to a foot injury and Victor Oladipo sidelined in the past eight games with a sprained right wrist. Even if Payne returns from injury, he would hardly make an immediate impact for the Thunder, which could force Billy Donovan to field in Semaj Christon off the bench.
The Thunder's second unit guard rotation has a respectable 104.2 offensive rating, but are 27th in the league in points scored with a measly average of 11.0 points per game. Adding Williams, who is averaging 13.9 points and 6.8 assists for the Mavs this season, would give the Thunder a solid backup PG who could spark the team's offense off the bench and relieve some of Russell Westbrook's playing time.
It is still unclear whether the Mavs would have any interest in dealing Williams, who signed a one-year $10 million contract with the team this past summer. But any potential deal involving Williams would probably see Dallas asking for young talents and picks to help in their short-term rebuild.
Nevertheless, it would be intriguing to see the Thunder explore deals before the deadline to bolster their chances of competing in the postseason.
