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5 NBA Players OKC Thunder Should Target To Fill Open Roster Spot

By Casimir Cuffy

Oct 28, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; OKC Thunder general manager Sam Presti is seen on the floor prior to action against the Phoenix Suns at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; OKC Thunder general manager Sam Presti is seen on the floor prior to action against the Phoenix Suns at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 24, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Taj Gibson (22) speaks to the media prior to action against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Taj Gibson (22) speaks to the media prior to action against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Sam Presti orchestrated a highly successful NBA Trade Deadline for the OKC Thunder , now it’s time for him to turn his attention to buy-out players or unsigned free agents to round out the 15-man roster.

The OKC Thunder were one of the few teams that pulled off a trade before the deadline and it was nothing short of spectacular (on paper). The OKC Thunder traded Cameron Payne, Joffrey Lauvergne, and Anthony Morrow to the Chicago Bulls for Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott, and a 2018 second round pick.

Related: OKC Thunder trade for Gibson and McDermott

This trade added a much needed boost in scoring from both the inside and outside. Taj Gibson is averaging 11.6 points a game in just over 27 minutes per game. The long-time Bull is averaging the second most points and rebounds of his career this season. It’s safe to say at age 31 he is still capable of getting buckets.

Doug McDermott (McBuckets) is enjoying his best season as a pro in his third go at it. McBuckets is averaging 10.2 points on the season on close to 38% shooting from three-point range. Doug will provide the OKC Thunder with much needed outside scoring to help late in the season.

Another option this trade granted the OKC Thunder is an open roster spot. With the trade deadline over, there are limited ways to fill this last spot. It can either be done by promoting from their Development League affiliate, The Oklahoma City Blue, or hitting the free agency market for potential buy-outs. Let’s take a look at five players OKC could add to bolster their depth.

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