Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 Potential Trade Targets to Boost Depth at Small Forward

It is important the Oklahoma City Thunder add depth at small forward before the Feb. 19 trade deadline. The health of superstar Kevin Durant is critical to the Thunder's playoff chances, and the team needs to find a suitable player behind him to keep the reigning MVP from burning out.

This season, Durant has struggled with injuries for the first time in his career. After missing just 16 games combined in his previous seven seasons, Durant has already missed 24 games this year due to his offseason foot surgery, a sprained ankle and a sprained big toe.

While the injuries are a concern, the team's dependency on the 26-year-old when he is on the court is equally as troubling. Per Basketball-Reference.com, Durant has a usage rate of 30.3 percent. That would rank 10th highest in the NBA if he had enough games to qualify.

Head coach Scott Brooks' tendency to lean on his star forward stems from a combination of Durant's greatness and a lack of faith in the other guys on the depth chart. Perry Jones, Durant's current caddy, hasn't done much since returning from a knee contusion on Dec. 5.

Ideally, the Thunder would back up Durant with a proven veteran. It would also help if said player had a decent outside stroke and/or could guard the perimeter. Oklahoma City is 27th in three-point percentage (32 percent), per ESPN.com.

Here are some names that should be on the Thunder's shopping list.

Wilson Chandler, Denver Nuggets

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder reportedly had interest in versatile Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler in December, according to SI.com's Chris Mannix.

"Teams continue to look at Denver as an appealing trade partner. The Cavs have been trying to acquire center Timofey Mozgov, and league sources said the Thunder have inquired about swingman Wilson Chandler," Mannix wrote.

While the Cleveland Cavaliers eventually got their man, the Thunder weren't as fortunate. There hasn't been much traction on the subject since. However, that doesn't mean the team shouldn't give it one more shot.

In a recent article on the 10 most-coveted players on the trade market, Bleacher Report's own Adam Fromal pointed out some of the upside in acquiring Chandler, whom Fromal ranked second on his list.  

"

Wilson Chandler plays on a reasonable contract. He's not the type of player who causes chemistry concerns, and he tends to put forth 100 percent effort no matter who joins him on the roster. There's no lengthy history of injury, and his 27 years on the planet offer little risk of a huge age-related decline in the near future.

"

Chandler is a jack-of-all-trades but a master of none.

He has the size (6'8", 210 pounds) to play either forward spot, while possessing the quickness to be passable at shooting guard. That would give Brooks some flexibility to work with on his second unit.

As Fromal mentioned, Chandler is a decent outside shooter. He's converted at least 34 percent of his attempts from downtown in each of the last three seasons, including nailing 34.5 percent this year. He rebounds well for his position (six boards per game), and he's an adequate defender. Per NBA.com, opponents are shooting 43.3 percent with Chandler defending, as opposed to 44.9 percent normally.

He'll make $6.7 million this season with a team option worth $7.2 million next year, per HoopsHype.com. That might be a little steep for a small-market team like the Thunder to pay a reserve, but Chandler's consistency and ability to apply ink across the stat sheet would make it a worthwhile investment.

Andrei Kirilenko, Philadelphia 76ers

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Andrei Kirilenko is technically a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, but he hasn't suited up for the franchise since being acquired Dec. 10. The Sixers responded to AK47's insubordination by suspending him without pay, per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

While Kirilenko doesn't seem to have much of a future in Philly, he could be an intriguing piece in Oklahoma City. The 33-year-old's greatest strength is his defense. He has averaged 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals per game during his 13 years in the league.

At 6'9" and 235 pounds, he has the size to play and guard either forward spot. He isn't much of an outside shooter (career 31 percent from three), but OKC wouldn't bring him in for his offensive contributions anyway.

The Thunder could use Kirilenko to chase shooters off the perimeter and give the second unit a little boost on the boards. His abilities on defense would also help lessen the burden on Dion Waiters and Reggie Jackson in the second unit.

While you hate to reward a player for being selfish, a change of scenery would be great for all parties. Kirilenko would get to spend the twilight of his career with a contender, the Sixers would get something in return for a player who refused to play and the Thunder get a cheap ($3.3 million) veteran to help them make a playoff run.

Caron Butler, Detroit Pistons

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

When searching for a suitable backup for your star small forward, why not look to someone who has done the job before?

Caron Butler had a decent, albeit brief, run with the Thunder after signing with the team in February. He played in 22 games, averaging 9.7 points in 27.2 minutes per game.

In the offseason, he moved on to the Motor City, signing with the Detroit Pistons for $9 million over two years. Statistically, he hasn't offered much during his first season in Motown (5.6 points, 2.8 rebounds).

However, his leadership in the wake of Josh Smith's departure has played a part in the team's turnaround.

"It was very important," head coach Stan Van Gundy said, per NBA.com's Keith Langlois. "When you've been at it that long, he's seen everything. He's been at the lowest lows and the highest highs and he's managed to stay even keel and he's learned those lessons and I think he can pass those on. He's also a guy who is very optimistic and positive and believed all the time that things would turn. I think he was a very positive voice."

"You can be a voice on the bench, but you've still got to go out there and sacrifice your body and your time and they've got to see you in here doing the little things, seeing you on the court performing." Butler added.

The Pistons' playoff hopes took a punch to the stomach when leading scorer Brandon Jennings suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. The team still has an outside shot at making the postseason, but the Thunder could use this opportunity to try to bring the band back together.

Much like backup center Kendrick Perkins, Butler's presence is less about production and more about his voice in the locker room. He can be a guiding light for the team's younger players, especially new addition Dion Waiters.

This would also be a shot at redemption for both parties.

The team attempted to fill Butler's void with the likes of Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones. That turned out to be a mistake, as they have not made an impact. For Butler, this would be a chance to make up for last year's playoff struggles (6.3 points, 32.4 percent from the field).

Butler is getting a little long in the tooth—he'll be 35 years old in March—but he's still a gritty defender and decent three-point shooter (career 34.4 percent from downtown).

Most importantly, he's a familiar face who Brooks has put his faith in before.

Jared Dudley, Milwaukee Bucks

Gary Dineen/Getty Images

Don't call it a comeback. Jared Dudley's been here for years.

After last season's knee troubles led to Dudley disappointing in his lone campaign with the Los Angeles Clippers, the 29-year-old has bounced back with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Boston College product is averaging 7.4 points per game. He's also shooting a career-high 49.2 percent from the field, including 40.7 percent from three (17th in the NBA). All three are better than his 2013-14 numbers (6.9 points, 43.8 percent from the field, 36 percent from three).

While the production is welcomed, Bucks head coach Jason Kidd says it's Dudley's leadership that has played a role in the team's surprising 23-22 record, per FOXSports Wisconsin's Andrew Gruman. 

"

He's as important on the court as he is off. Being a guy that's been in the league on successful teams, understanding what it takes to win, the work ethic, the extra work you have to put in, the communication—I think the guys see that on the floor and off the floor, too.

"

Those kind of intangibles would be a huge plus in Oklahoma City. Of course, so would Dudley's lights-out shooting from downtown.

His 40.7 percent mark from behind the arc would top all Thunder players and simultaneously be a huge boost for a team that has struggled converting from deep. A lineup with Dudley, Durant and Anthony Morrow on the floor at the same time would allow OKC to really space the floor.

The Thunder would also benefit from Dudley's reasonable contract. He's owed $4.25 million this season and has a player option worth the same amount for next year, per HoopsHype.

If Dudley can be influential in turning around one of the worst teams in basketball, he could be a big help for a Thunder squad in need of a sudden jolt.

Dorell Wright, Portland Trail Blazers

Rocky Widner/Getty Images

The Thunder have had interest in three-point specialist Dorell Wright in the past. According to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, Oklahoma City was in "aggressive pursuit" of the 29-year-old as a free agent in 2013.

While Wright eventually ended up with the Portland Trail Blazers, he told Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman last year that he wanted to come to Oklahoma City.

"

I really wanted to come (to OKC) bad, just to get the opportunity to play with (Russell Westbrook). Me and him went to high school together. To have one of your friends from high school on the same team as you, that don’t happen often. So I was really looking forward to that. But it just didn’t really work out as far as on the business side. Maybe down in the future, I could probably play with Russ.

"

Now, fast forward a year later.

Wright is averaging 11.8 minutes per game on a 32-13 Blazers team that has found success without requiring much from their former free-agent addition. The Thunder, meanwhile, need an experienced shooter who can occasionally spell Durant.

This sounds like the perfect opportunity for a Wright-Westbrook reunion, no?

While Wright's role with Portland has been limited, that hasn't stopped him from doing what he does best: knocking down threes. He's shooting a career-high 41.2 percent from behind the arc this season.

At 6'9", 205 pounds, he could space the floor from either forward position—he even played some shooting guard during his time in Philadelphia.

While the business side didn't work out for Wright and the Thunder before, it certainly works out for Oklahoma City now. He's in the last year of his deal and is owed just $3.1 million this season.

For general manager Sam Presti, this would be the chance to get the shooter he once coveted, as well as fill two of his team's biggest needs.