The Thunder are in desperate need of another impact player. This piece takes a look at some players with high ceilings the OKC Thunder could buy low on via trade and further develop.
OKC Thunder fans don’t need to be reminded of the James Harden trade. However, from Houston’s perspective, it shows how teams can acquire superstars in ways other than the draft or in free agency. The Rockets took a risk, giving up multiple picks and players for Harden, who at the time, was a sixth man averaging less than 17 points a game. Houston’s gamble paid off as Harden has become one of the league’s top players and turned the Rockets into a top-five NBA team.
The big difference however, between Houston and Oklahoma City’s situation is that at the time, Houston had no franchise player to build around and were in need of a superstar. The Thunder already have that player in Russell Westbrook.
This current Oklahoma City team needs at least one more above average player to add to its core. Without being able to draft high enough to get one, or having the cap space to sign one in free agency, pulling off a “Reverse Harden trade” could be the answer.
The Thunder should look at finding highly touted players that have not been able to reach their full potential, and see if a change of scenery would help get that player back on track. Here is a list of five players the Thunder should consider a trade for.