Veteran NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski dropped few insights about the current state in the NBA, a potential break-up of one Western Conference super-trio, and the expected shift of top talents to the Eastern Conference.

Wojnarowski, arguably the most renowned inside reporter in the NBA, was joined by fellow ESPN writer Bobby Marks and Thunder reporter Royce Young to discuss various topics in the latest edition of the Woj Pod. Among the things discussed was the surprisingly slow start by the star-studded Oklahoma City Thunder and the owner’s capacity to keep the core intact beyond this season.

Thunder trouble

Woj believes the Thunder will eventually live up to its full potential after a roller-coaster three weeks of basketball. Young and Marks also agreed that teams with multiple stars tend to have a slow start and find a way to adjust as the season progresses.

However, the NBA insider was a bit skeptical on the Thunder’s ability to keep their super-trio of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony intact after this season. Woj doubts that Thunder owner Clay Bennett is willing to pay a huge amount of luxury tax to keep all of its stars, considering that the Thunder is in a small-market city.

“This would be an incredible [tax] bill for the New York Knicks, the Lakers or Steve Ballmer to pay, never mind Clay Bennett in a small market like Oklahoma City,” Woj said of the Thunder owner during the podcast session.

The Thunder faces the possibility of losing both Anthony and George next summer when they can opt out of the final year on their respective deals to become unrestricted free agents. Oklahoma City has the ability to re-sign their stars, but the owner must prepare for a massive repeaters luxury tax that could befall the franchise in 2018.

Big Deals coming to East

Woj also discussed in his podcast the likelihood of major deals involving Eastern Conference as the trade season approaches. The NBA insider thinks the Cavs’ recent struggles are giving other contenders the idea that they can finally contend for a spot in the NBA Finals this year.

Meanwhile, in the West, the Golden State Warriors’ continued dominance might compel teams to sell some of their key players for future draft assets.

Woj is expecting a number of top talents in the West to go to the Eastern Conference teams via trade or buyout because of the wide-open nature of the conference.

“With so many teams in the East thinking that we have a chance. I get a sense that there’s going to be a lot of activity this year. You may see a lot more West-to-East deals, where teams in the West just don’t think they can compete and East teams trying to load up,” Woj said.
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