3 players OKC Thunder should aggressively target via buy-out or trade

Sam Presti, OKC Thunder 2019 NBA Free Agency Tracker (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
Sam Presti, OKC Thunder 2019 NBA Free Agency Tracker (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Trade Opporunities
OKC Trade Opporunities /

Unrest rising in Philadelphia

No one knows what’s happening in Philly but one thing is for certain – the 76ers don’t want Jahlil Okafor. Through 20 games, Okafor has played twice. Despite his pleas for a buyout, Jah remains in limbo.

GM Bryan Colangelo has done a splendid job devaluing Okafor where even a late second-round pick isn’t on the table. Whats worse is fans are becoming more vocal about his antics.

This is an amazing sign of respect from one the NBA’s most intense fanbases. Okafor’s frustrations regarding his future is felt around the league and its wonderful supporters vocally condemn unfairness.

More from Thunderous Intentions

On the basketball court though, its a different story. The combination of post-heavy offense and defensive ineptitude are long gone. With NBA firmly gripped on ball movement, player action and pace, Okafor’s skills are mostly redundant.

But they are not extinct.

Averaging a 14.6 points and 5.9 rebounds, Okafor is a big body that gets buckets. As stated above, Oklahoma City have no playable bigs behind Steven Adams. The Thunder have a number of defensive players that can mask his defensive shortcomings.

For two  and a half seasons, OKC hid Enes Kanter. The difference is Okafor doesn’t break the bank. Having an automatic scorer off the bench is what OKC needs. If Jah achieves a buyout, Presti is likely to be interested.

At this moment, it is all a waiting game. But if history has taught us something, Presti always has the OKC Thunder one step ahead.