Thunder acquire Randy Foye in multi-player deal

According to reports, the Thunder have made a deal.

They get Randy Foye from the Nuggets and send out D.J. Augustin, Steve Novak and two future second round picks. The two second round picks are for this season, one that came via the Hornets in the Jeremy Lamb trade, and the Thunder’s own.

Foye has been bad this season and likely won’t slot into any rotation minutes. He’s backcourt filler, but adding him — an expiring deal — and save roughly $8.4 million in future luxury tax penalties. Add that to reduced salary, and the Thunder are saving $9.8 million total, while also clearing a roster spot.

Is Foye going to play? Is he good? Probably not and not really. He’s shooting under 30 percent from 3 and 35 percent from the floor. He’s played a lot for the Nuggets, but he hasn’t played well. He does have a decent history as a 3-point shooter (37 percent career) and is an average defender.

Where he has some sliver of value, is that the Thunder added one player that can do multiple things, potentially even cracking the rotation in the right situations, while removing two guys that were only playing in case of emergency. Foye can handle the third string point guarding duties while also being able to play some shooting guard. In just terms of a sensible non-needle moving deal, it makes sense. It’s practical. It’s utilitarian. There’s no reason to be excited — unless you’re REALLY in to the Thunder saving money — and no reason to be upset — unless you REALLY wanted a bigger trade.

By clearing the roster spot, the Thunder can now be potential buyers following the buyout market, and there are a couple possible juicy candidates in Joe Johnson and Kevin Martin. The Thunder can even outbid others teams with more money and options at their disposal (mini mid-level, etc).

If you’re upset about the second rounders going, consider: The Thunder don’t especially need them. They have Dakari Johnson (who they like), they have Semaj Christon (who they like) and they have Alex Abrines (who they really like) as replacement second rounders of sorts. There’s really not a lot of room to add more to the cupboard, unless you’re just talking about having more darts to throw at the board to hope one sticks.

The other thing: The Thunder were doing Augustin a solid here in a lot of ways. He’s 28, and on an expiring deal having just lost his job to a rookie. Augustin was a total pro in the way he handled himself, but he wanted to play more and the Thunder accommodated that. And got probably an upgrade while they were at it, at least in terms of options.