5 Trade Targets Oklahoma City Thunder Should Consider Before 2015 Deadline
Christmas may have came and went, but that doesn't mean the Oklahoma City Thunder shouldn't comprise a list of things they still need. With only a few weeks left until the Feb. 19 NBA trade deadline, the team should use this time to shore up any weaknesses to prepare for a potential playoff run.
With Kevin Durant back from a sprained ankle, the Thunder possess one of the most formidable starting rotations in basketball. Russell Westbrook is unofficially second in the league in scoring (27.6 points per game). Serge Ibaka has developed into a three-point threat (career-high 41.2 percent), while Steven Adams and Andre Roberson have blossomed into fine role players.
However, the bench, for all of its youth and potential, could be the team's Achilles heel. Explosive sixth man Reggie Jackson and sharpshooter Anthony Morrow are the only consistent weapons on the second unit. Prospects such as Perry Jones and Jeremy Lamb seemed to have lost the momentum they gained earlier in the year.
Also, with Adams still developing and Ibaka's affinity for the perimeter, the club lacks a threat in the low post. OKC would benefit from having someone who can draw defenders inside and open up looks for the team's bevy of outside shooters.
Fortunately, both of these issues are an easy fix, but the clock is ticking on the Thunder to make a move.
Note: All stats current as of Jan. 1 and are courtesy of NBA.com, unless otherwise noted.
Mike Dunleavy, SF, Chicago Bulls
1 of 5
A trade for Chicago Bulls small forward Mike Dunleavy would help the Thunder in a number of ways. First, he'd be an upgrade over Perry Jones in the backup role behind Kevin Durant. Jones has averaged a little over five points per game since returning from a knee contusion on Dec. 9, while Dunleavy nearly doubled that (9.5 points per game) during the month of December.
Next, he's durable, which will be a huge help for an Oklahoma City team that has had more than its fair share of injuries this year. After playing in all 82 games last year, he's the only Bull to start all 33 games this season.
The 34-year-old is also a capable outside shooter. He's converting 41.7 percent (17th in the league) from behind the arc this year, and is a 37.5 percent shooter from downtown for his career. That could come in handy for a Thunder team ranked 26th in three-point shooting accuracy (32.4 percent).
Also, most importantly for a small-market team such as Oklahoma City, Dunleavy's price tag is cheap. He's in the final year of his deal and he's owed just $3 million, per HoopsHype.com. With the Doug McDermott era coming in Chicago, this would be a good opportunity for the Bulls to get something for the 13-year veteran, and the addition of Dunleavy would be a huge boost for the Thunder's second unit.
Iman Shumpert, SG, New York Knicks
2 of 5
For quite some time now, Iman Shumpert and the Oklahoma City Thunder have seemed like a perfect match. Head coach Scott Brooks likes shooting guards that can defend on the perimeter, and defense is one of Shumpert's strong suits. Plus, the team has had past interest in the 24-year-old.
That's not all Shump brings to the table though. Unlike current starter Andre Roberson, Shumpert complements his defense with a sneaky outside jumper. The Georgia Tech product has shot at least 33 percent from downtown in each of the last three seasons, including a 34.8 percent mark this year.
The Thunder could also take advantage of Shumpert's versatility. He can log minutes anywhere from point guard to small forward as well as guard multiple positions. He's also inexpensive at $2.76 million this year, and Oklahoma City would have control over him this summer as a restricted free agent.
Of course, there are a couple cons to adding Shumpert. First, durability is a concern. He's missed time with injuries every season since entering the league in 2011. Recently, he suffered a dislocated shoulder that has kept him out for a couple weeks. He was able to shoot around a little on Christmas, per Marc Berman of The New York Post and could be nearing a return.
Also, with three shooting guards already on the roster, the team will likely have to part with one from the Roberson-Anthony Morrow-Jeremy Lamb trio to make room for Shumpert. Given Roberson's work on defense and Morrow just getting signed over the summer, the inconsistent Lamb seems like most expendable.
Still, potential hurdles aside, Shumpert is a decent two-way guard who could be a nice rental for a Thunder team looking for help at both ends of the court.
Trevor Booker, PF, Utah Jazz
3 of 5
A Trevor Booker trade could allow the Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz to both get something they need. The Thunder lack a big body that can get buckets in the paint, which is where Booker comes in.
According to Basketball-Reference.com, Booker has converted 73.1 percent of his shots at the rim as well as 44.7 percent of his takes from three to 10 feet. His 7.1 points per game is better than any of the Thunder's current reserve forwards (Nick Collison, Mitch McGary, Grant Jerrett).
Meanwhile, Utah could use another guard after Alec Burks suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Shooting guard just so happens to be Oklahoma City's deepest position. Someone like Jeremy Lamb could fill that void for the Jazz, while also benefiting from an opportunity he wouldn't otherwise get with the Thunder.
Booker is due $5 million this year with a team option worth $4.75 million for next season, which is a reasonable price for a banger that doubles as a decent rebounder (4.4 boards per game) and occasional shot-blocker (three blocks in his last four games).
Brandon Bass, PF, Boston Celtics
4 of 5
Boston Celtics big man Brandon Bass is another option for the Thunder to consider in their quest to secure a low-post threat. Like Trevor Booker, Bass is no stranger to doing the dirty work inside. He's shooting 48.1 percent from the field, including 68.3 percent at the rim.
With the addition of Brandan Wright along with the presence of starter Jared Sullinger, Bass seems like the odd man out in a congested Celtics frontcourt. Since Wright was acquired in the Rajon Rondo trade on Dec. 19, Bass has played a total of 59 minutes in five games, an average of 11.8 per contest.
Things would be less crowded in Oklahoma City. Thirty-four-year-old Nick Collison is on the decline, posting career lows in points (4.1) and rebounds (3.6). Rookie Mitch McGary is out with inflammation in his left leg, while inexperienced Grant Jerrett has played all of 17 minutes this season.
Bass could step right in and supplant Collison as Serge Ibaka's caddy. His ability to score down low gives the bench another weapon and will open things up for the other guys on the floor.
Of course, Bass' presence comes at a price and a rather expensive one at that. The 29-year-old is owed $6.95 million this season, which would make him the fifth-highest paid player on the Thunder roster. However, if the team wants an interior scorer, a good one isn't likely to come cheap.
Wilson Chandler, SF, Denver Nuggets
5 of 5
Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler is the kind of all-around threat that could be huge for the Thunder's bench.
He can score, both by attacking the basket (60 percent shooter at the rim) and from the outside (35.6 percent from three). He's an avid rebounder (5.9 boards per game), and he can play multiple positions.
Chandler would allow Oklahoma City to go big (with Wilson at the 2) or small (with him and Kevin Durant manning the forward spots). His outside shooting would be a welcome addition to a team that has just three players shooting above 34 percent from three.
The Thunder are clearly aware of what Chandler brings to the table, which is why they've already started asking about the 27-year-old, per SI's Chris Mannix.
"The Cavs have been trying to acquire center Timofey Mozgov, and league sources said the Thunder have inquired about swingman Wilson Chandler." Mannix wrote.
Of course, a man of Chandler's talents comes at a cost and, for this season, the price is $6.75 million. Chandler also has a team option worth $7.17 million for next year, per HoopsHype. Durability is also a concern. He's played more than 60 games just three times in the last seven years.
With the Nuggets' roster also thinned by injuries, they could dangle Chandler in a package to get more able bodies. Meanwhile, the Thunder would get a solid role player that could help them alongside the starters or running with the second unit.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
