Doug McDermott Trade Rumors: Thunder Reportedly Interested in Bulls SF

The Oklahoma City Thunder could make a push for Chicago Bulls small forward Doug McDermott before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.

Royce Young of ESPN.com reported McDermott is "known to interest" OKC, with the sides also being linked to a potential deal involving Bulls power forward Taj Gibson, per ESPN's Marc Stein.

McDermott has endured an up-and-down third season in Chicago, which acquired him from the Denver Nuggets after they selected him with the 11th overall pick in the 2014 draft.

The 25-year-old Creighton product is averaging 10.2 points and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 44.5 percent from the field, matching his career mark. His three-point percentage has dropped to 37.3 percent, however, after reaching 42.5 percent last season.

Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times the forward needed to show more confidence when he gets an open look.

"It's human nature as a shooter, when you're struggling, you try to get as close to that rim as you can, and you try and guide it up there, as opposed to trusting that stroke and shooting it," Hoiberg said. "It looks like he's trying to seek contact a little bit, as opposed to going up without hesitation and shooting."

In addition, McDermott missed some time earlier in the season after suffering a pair of concussions. He explained the difficult nature of trying to get back up to full speed, even after getting medically cleared, during a January interview with K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.

"There are still times it takes me a little bit to think of a play. That's something the specialist told me would take a little bit of time," McDermott said. "Coaches are aware of that when we go through walk-through and stuff. I may be a little slow. But I feel good. I've been sleeping good, no headaches."

The 2014 Naismith College Player of the Year has shown some promising signs across eight games so far in February, though. He's putting up 11 points per game, his second-highest monthly mark despite his lowest minutes average, and he's shooting 39.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Oklahoma City, which currently sits seventh in the Western Conference with a 32-25 record, is looking to bolster its roster around Russell Westbrook before the playoffs. Acquiring an upgrade over Andre Roberson at small forward would be the easiest way to do it.

Roberson ranks 53rd among 66 qualified small forwards in Player Efficiency Rating this season. McDermott rates 37th in the same stat and would bring some much-needed outside shooting with the Thunder sitting 29th in three-point percentage.