The NBA Trade Rumors saw contenders trying to clear cap space to make a move. After the Kevin Love trade was finalized, teams like the OKC Thunder realized the need to beef up their roster or be left behind.

The Western Conference is insanely competitive, and the bridesmaids to the Spurs, the OKC Thunder can feel the mounting pressure to win a championship in the next two seasons or risk the departure of Kevin Durant.

The Thunder saw the departure of long time nemesis LeBron James from Miami. They realized that players really do care about playing in their hometown provided the team can place themselves in a position to contend.

The Washington Wizards, which would be considered Durant's hometown team are a rapidly rising bunch. They could be the Cleveland Cavaliers of 2016. The only way to convince Durant to stay is to win no less than an NBA championship.

Durant recently quit Team USA to focus on the NBA season. It's a message to his team: "I've done my part, now do yours."

OKC Thunder has been criticized for being overly frugal, to the point that they lose their competitiveness. They seek to correct that now, starting with modest trades to clear cap space.

The details of the trade from ESPN:

 "The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded center Hasheem Thabeet and cash to the Philadelphia 76ers for a protected second-round draft pick in 2015 and a trade exception.

Sources briefed on the transaction said Tuesday that the Sixers will receive cash considerations to take on Thabeet's contract.

The Sixers, sources said, are expected to immediately waive the former No. 2 overall pick, while Oklahoma City will create a trade exception worth $1.25 million by shipping Thabeet out without taking back any salary.

The deal was announced on Tuesday. The Thunder have a year to use the trade exception."

The implication of the deal is that the Thunder want to place themselves in a position to be able to make moves to help the team before the season to starts. NBC Sports says:

"The Thunder, in addition to getting a $1.25 million trade exception, trim their roster to 14 players. Sitting $2,806,033 below the luxury-tax line, Oklahoma City has time - and a trade exception - to tinker with its roster between now and the trade deadline."

OKC is now willing to make moves, but still not venture into luxury tax territory.