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OKC Thunder: Five Small Forwards Who Would Fit Well with the Thunder

By Tony Heim

Apr 8, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) looks for an open man during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) looks for an open man during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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2. TJ Warren, Phoenix Suns

If it wasn’t for the absolute perfect fit at #1 (hint hint keep reading) Warren would be my number one guy. So he can’t play defense and doesn’t fit into the uber-athletic style the Thunder want to play. What he can do is put the ball in the bucket…a lot.

Warren’s in his third season in the league, and each year he has taken a step. After averaging 6 points a game his rookie year, the former N.C. State forward jumped his average to 11 points last season. This year he is averaging 17 a game through 13 games.

November 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren (12) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Suns 133-120. Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren (12) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Suns 133-120. Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Now like Miles, TJ is also out at the moment; he suffered a “minor head injury” that has kept him out since November 19th. Also like Miles, he is on an incredibly cheap contract. Presti loves trading for players on their rookie contract, and Warren has two additional seasons at approximately $3 and $4 million respectively. If he continues to improve at this rate, that will pale in comparison to his actual worth.

The Suns have a whole mess of young talent but no way of helping each player reach their full potential so they should explore trading a piece or two. They’ve experimented with Marqueese Chriss at small forward and also have Jared Dudley and P.J. Tucker on the roster. Out of all their young guys, Warren is the most expendable.

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