Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 Potential Trade Targets to Consider
The Oklahoma City Thunder are flying under the radar this season thanks to the brilliance of teams like the Golden State Warriors or the compelling train wreck that is the New York Knicks.
Since Kevin Durant returned from injury, the Thunder have gone 7-1 and are in the thick of the playoff hunt. Although OKC will most likely be in the bottom half of the playoff bracket in the West, the goal is still to win a championship.
That means general manager Sam Presti will need to take a long, hard look at the trade market to determine what can push the Thunder over the hump.
Many people believe coaching and scheme are the team's limiting factors, but there are roster limitations, as well.
Much like last season, OKC is still lacking a reliable two-way player on the wing. Head coach Scott Brooks once again has to choose between offense (Anthony Morrow), defense (Andre Roberson) or an inconsistent mix of the two (Jeremy Lamb).
On a related note, there just isn’t enough space on the floor when Morrow is on the bench, as defenses can load up on Durant and Russell Westbrook.
In addition to merely improving the team for this season, Presti has to account for the big picture.
Reggie Jackson’s impending restricted free agency will be a delicate situation, and Jackson has voiced displeasure about his role on the team according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. It’s plausible the emerging point guard searches for greener pastures, so Presti has to determine whether he can recoup any assets for him instead of letting Jackson walk away for nothing in the summer.
Presti has normally maintained the status quo with this team, but there are intriguing options on the market that might cause him to make a trade. Some are realistic while others are long shots, but all of the players in the following slides can bring something to the table that could make the Thunder champions.
All contract information was obtained from Spotrac, and feasibility of all proposed trades was verified using the ESPN Trade Machine.
Wilson Chandler, F, Denver Nuggets
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It makes sense to start with the most viable trade rumor, and Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix reported that Sam Presti has already inquired about the availability of Wilson Chandler.
It makes a lot of sense since Chandler would give Brooks a legitimate two-way threat on the wing, as well as some three-point shooting.
The Nuggets’ combination of an underwhelming record and roster depth means they’re a prime candidate to start unloading players. Arron Afflalo, Randy Foye and even Nate Robinson are interesting options for the Thunder, but Wilson Chandler might be the best fit as a versatile wing player who can play shooting guard through power forward.
He’s not a lockdown stopper, but he’s a good perimeter defender who can spend a chunk of minutes on the likes of a Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James or even James Harden. Furthermore, Chandler is knocking down a respectable 39 percent of his threes this season and would provide more outside shooting.
It would be tough for OKC to part with a first-round draft pick (since Denver would no doubt want a draft pick to sweeten the deal), but a combination of Jeremy Lamb, Kendrick Perkins and a second-round pick might be enough to return Wilson Chandler and Darrell Arthur.
Iman Shumpert, G/F, New York Knicks
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This isn't a new rumor for the Thunder, but that’s because it makes a lot of sense.
The Knicks have been relatively lukewarm on their swingman, and every player on the roster not named Carmelo Anthony is fair game. Shumpert has played well in the new system, but injuries have once again hampered his progress—he is currently out with a dislocated shoulder.
Like Wilson Chandler, Shumpert would give the Thunder a two-way wing. He has the length to spell Kevin Durant at small forward, but he would likely slot in as the starting 2-guard.
The Knicks already have a young shooting guard in Tim Hardaway Jr. but need all the young talent they can get, so they might be persuaded to part with Shumpert for a package including Jeremy Lamb and a second-round pick.
Shumpert should be back in action before the trade deadline—so Presti could watch him on the court and verify his health before making the move—and he could contribute right away.
K.J. McDaniels, G/F, Philadelphia 76ers
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This is going to hurt Thunder fans, since Presti could have just drafted K.J. McDaniels in the first place instead of stashing Josh Huestis in the D-League. Nevertheless, McDaniels could certainly help strengthen OKC’s wing rotation despite being a second-round rookie.
It would be a risky gamble for a team with championship aspirations to trade for a rookie, but McDaniels has already turned his elite athleticism into quality defense, and his three-point stroke has made him an intriguing rotation piece.
Of course, McDaniels doesn't have the track record of Wilson Chandler or Iman Shumpert, but he’s also a more enticing long-term prospect. Part of the problem with that way of thinking, though, is his contract is up at the end of the year, meaning that OKC could potentially lose him in restricted free agency without reaping the long-term potential.
Part of the reason McDaniels signed an unusual contract is because he clearly wants out of Philadelphia. Perhaps he'd stay put in a winning environment, but it’s a risk nonetheless.
McDaniels has flashed so much potential, however, that it may well be a risk worth taking.
Presti might be able to send Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones III to the Sixers in exchange for McDaniels and Andrei Kirilenko—if Philadelphia GM Sam Hinkie values that OKC duo's long-term potential.
It’s more likely a draft pick will need to be thrown in to fully entice Hinkie, but OKC would receive a young prospect with plenty of upside to become a long-term piece for the Thunder.
Marvin Williams, F, Charlotte Hornets
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The Hornets have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA, and a lot of the blame for that has been placed on the shoulders of Lance Stephenson. The new acquisition certainly deserves some of the criticism, but it would be myopic to overlook the fact that the Charlotte defense is not nearly as good as it was last year.
One possible explanation is the unintimidating frontcourt pairing of Al Jefferson and Marvin Williams.
Williams was brought in to replace Josh McRoberts, but the defense has suffered as a result of weak rim protection. Williams has established a reputation as a solid pro, but he’s not fitting well in Charlotte. With the Hornets looking to make a move, Williams could be a nice piece on the Thunder second unit.
He’s a reliable three-point shooter, a solid and versatile defender and he could play as a small-ball 4 alongside Serge Ibaka or Steven Adams—or play as the backup small forward.
Trading Kendrick Perkins, Jeremy Lamb (who has played with Kemba Walker in the past) and a second-round pick to Charlotte for Marvin Williams and Gary Neal/P.J. Hairston would give OKC the depth it needs on the wings.
Isaiah Thomas, PG, Phoenix Suns
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This is the most unlikely trade scenario—since it would help a Western Conference playoff contender and would most likely require parting with Reggie Jackson—but this trade could unfold if Presti is confident he won’t be able to retain the Boston College product.
From the Phoenix perspective, the Isaiah Thomas signing has seemingly backfired to this point. In financial terms, the four-year, $27 million contract is still a bargain, but Thomas' ball-dominant ways have hurt the Suns' chemistry. Head coach Jeff Hornacek has struggled to incorporate all three of his talented point guards into his rotation.
That second problem wouldn't be resolved by swapping out talented point guards, but Jackson has more long-term value and could be a solid backup plan if Goran Dragic opts out and receives a lucrative contract offer in free agency next summer.
If Presti is certain Jackson isn't returning, he could do a lot worse than getting Thomas in return.
Thomas would be a superb leader of the second unit, and his ball-dominant ways wouldn't be as problematic for a Thunder system predicated on isolation basketball.
Presti might be able to turn Reggie Jackson, Nick Collison and Jeremy Lamb into Isaiah Thomas and Archie Goodwin. It’s not a great package, but it might be one of the best options facing the Thunder if they want to avoid losing Jackson for nothing.
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