NBA Trades: Who Should OKC Thunder Target Closer to Deadline?
Although we are only a month into the 2023-24 season, teams are starting to be separated into tiers. While some have overperformed, just as many teams have been disappointments. As such, buyers and sellers for the upcoming trade deadline are starting to become more clear.
It seems far away, but the February trade deadline is less than 75 days away. The Oklahoma City Thunder aren't expected to be the team to make a big splash, but never count GM Sam Presti out. If there's a player that's available that fits the team now and long-term for the right price, he will consider it.
With that in mind, who are three players that should be looked into closer to the trade deadline?
Jerami Grant (Portland Trail Blazers)
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After spending three seasons in Oklahoma City, Jerami Grant was traded away as the team began its rebuild. He continued to rise following that trade, emerging as a player who has now averaged at least 19 points per game in each of the last four seasons.
Given he’s once again on a rebuilding team in the Portland Trail Blazers, it wouldn’t be at all surprising if he is on the move at the trade deadline. Could the Thunder bring him back now that it’s time to push for the playoffs once again?
Grant recently signed a five-year, $160 million deal so it should be noted he’s on a fairly large contract for at least the next few seasons. Regardless, he’s a combo wing that impacts the game on both ends that fits what Oklahoma City is doing schematically.
Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz)
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While the Utah Jazz are one of the worst teams in the league to this point, it shouldn’t be expected that they’re big sellers at the deadline. The majority of the Utah roster is young and part of what the franchise is looking to build moving forward.
With that in mind, Lauri Markkanen is set for a new contract in the near future and at this point looks like a max player. If the Jazz feel like they’re better positioned long-term to cash out on the 7-footer who has revitalized his career, now would be the time.
Oklahoma City has the assets to do nearly anything as it relates to trades, having the young talent and draft picks to acquire a guy like Markkanen. It’s just a matter of whether or not Utah will even entertain the idea, or if the Jazz consider him the piece worth paying and completely building around. Regardless, he would be the perfect frontcourt pairing alongside Chet Holmgren.
Nikola Vucevic (Chicago Bulls)
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Yet another team that may have a player or two available for the right price at the deadline is the Chicago Bulls. While he is well beyond his prime, Nikola Vucevic is one of those pieces that could really take the Thunder to the next level.
For this type of deal, it would come down to the asking price. It’s unlikely that Oklahoma City gives up significant assets for a player like Vucevic at this stage of his career, but be would be worth a first-round pick and salary filler. He’s due roughly $41.5 million total over the next two years, so his contract is actually quite attractive for a team like the Thunder.
The idea of Vucevic seems great, especially with his ability to stretch the floor. He also is a great rebounder that could really help OKC fix its problems cleaning the glass. With that in mind, it’s unclear whether he’d fit next to Holmgren for long stretches, so he may have to be a bench player or just rotate minutes with the rookie big if this type of deal were to happen.
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