OKC Thunder: 9 offensive options to target as NBA trade season officially begins

With the December 15 trade deadline reached TI dives into nine players who fulfill immediate gaps on the OKC Thunder roster.

On a night when the NBA engaged in their version of ‘Who’s on first” the OKC Thunder lost their second game in a row. This hadn’t happened since the season opened and served as a reminder of the team’s shortcomings.

Even as Friday night’s games were coming to a close the first Woj bomb hit the wires as an apparent trade was in the works. The trade was meant to send Trevor Ariza to Washington, Kelly Oubre Jr. to Memphis and supporting cast members to Phoenix. As NBA fans jumped on the news another report followed stating the deal was not proceeding due to miscommunication over the specific players involved.

Coincidentally, today the majority of 2018 offseason free agents become eligible for trade. This date doesn’t automatically lead to a flurry of activity. In fact, historically most teams elect to wait awhile to gauge their needs on a broader scale, with a tendency to make moves closer to the  trade deadline which is February 7, 2019 this season.

Usually by now, the first separation has occurred with tiers clearly defined. It’s also true that typically most teams are fairly confident by this point in the season if they’ll be heading up the playoff ladder or joining the lottery crew. This season however is significantly different. In the Western Conference 14 teams are all in the mix vying for those eight seeds. Four and a half games separate seeds three through 14. Only the Phoenix Suns are definitively headed for the lottery.

In the Eastern Conference it’s likely the four bottom seeds (Bulls, Hawks, Cavaliers and Knicks) are lottery bound leaving 11 teams vying for eight seeds.

So, with 25 of the league’s 30 teams still actively engaged in pursuing a playoff berth it’s fair to say this is far from the usual NBA season.

This could result in immediate activity by teams who believe shifts to their rosters could help separate them, add depth or fill specific needs.

OKC have an open roster spot which can still be utilized and are heavily in the luxury tax (despite the removal of Carmelo Anthony‘s albatross salary). With the sardine packed can of the Western Conference it’s essential not to fall behind. Therefore, these two losses serve notice there’s no time like the present to find a shooter who’ll add offensvie depth to the defensive juggernaut that is the OKC Thunder.

To that end, Lawrence George outlined nine low-key players who Sam Presti should consider adding to fulfill an immediate need.

Trade Deadline Series:

Player 1: Mike Scott

The Clippers foward offers immediate offense – link to analysis.

"After a strong season with the Washington Wizards last year, Mike Scott inked a one-year, $4.3-million dollar deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. The 30 year-old forward has developed himself into a legitimate 3-point shooting threat and could do wonders on an OKC Thunder roster struggling to throw a tic tac in the ocean."

Player 2: Channing Frye:

A veteran with championship experience and the ability to deliver the big shot under pressure. Link to analysis.

"All games aside, the former NBA champion can still play and contribute in spurts on a championship team. Sure his athleticism has waned to a stand still and he struggles to defend in open space but his ability to hit open triples at a high rate and spread the floor could be invaluable to an OKC Thunder team struggling to hit perimeter shots."

Player 3: Noah Vonleh

Rare as it may at 23 Noah Vonleh is on his fourth team in five seasons, but rarer still is his suddening burgeoning offensive game complete with a highly efficient perimeter shot. Link to analysis and fit with OKC.

"Aside from the statistical contribution, the most impressive aspect of Vonleh’s game is he’s continued to play a hustle style of play while adding a 3-point shot. Many players who’ve developed a 3-point stroke tend to lean heavily on it and stay on the perimeter. Vonleh on the other-hand continues to crash the glass, attack loose balls and play inside with the big boys."

Player 4:  Omri Casspi

A season spent with the Warriors netted the wing man a ring. So he offers veteran leadership, title experience, 3-point prowess and surprising grit. Link to analysis and fit with OKC.

"With Memphis light on perimeter shooting, Casspi might be difficult to pry away from the grit and grind. However should the Grizzlies make him available for the right price, the Thunder should definitely inquire."

Player 5: Michael Beasley

Could Beasley be the player Sam Presti envisioned carmelo Anthony to be?  Link to analysis and fit with OKC.

"Sure, the Lakers offered Beasley more (one year, $3.5 million) than Oklahoma City could give (the Thunder at best could offer the veteran minimum of $2.4 million) but the 29 year-old would have been in a better situation where his skills could be maximized."

Player 6: Trevor Ariza

Another trade asset with a title experience and a natural fit given his defensive prowess. Link to analysis and fit with OKC.

"The irony here is Ariza isn’t a particularly great 3-point shooter (career 35.3 percent) and in fact shoots below league average (36 percent) but what sets him apart is his willingness to let the ball fly if he’s wide open."

Player 7: Anthony Tolliver

If Presti has any rabbits left in that hat Tolliver is someone he should  work his magic on. Link to analysis and fit with OKC.

"However, Tolliver holds tremendous value for teams seeking outside shooting and the Thunder should be banging down the door for Tollivers services. Its unusual for divisional rivals to make trades however, Minnesota are likely looking to solidify its defense while OKC are seeking spacing and perimeter marksmanship."

Player 8: Yogi Ferrell

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A bench player who can provide immediate scoring and hit shots from deep and unlike a certain reserve on the Thunder enjoys running the point and sharing the ball.  Link to analysis and fit with OKC.

"After playing just 29 minutes in Sacramento’s last 15 contests, coach Dave Joeger presented Ferrell a chance at the back-up point guard spot against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In 16 minutes of action, he posted 17 points (5-6 from the field, 4-4 from three, 3-3 free throws) and six assists as the Kings charged to a 141-130 win."

Player 9: Vince Carter

The aging vet seemingly is stuck in the hot tub time machine – still able to dunk at his age he’s an inspiration for young talent and a solid locker voice. Link to analysis and fit with OKC.

"However, one of Carter’s strengths was his ability to adapt and improve his game beyond highlight slams. Over the years VC developed a reliable perimeter game and still puts up numbers when he’s rolling."

Related Article: 30 for 30 series – one player from every team OKC should consider targeting

With the shackles off most free agents from this past offseason are now viable for trades (aside from a few exceptions). Sam Presti tends to operate in a stealth -like manner, so he’s likely working the phones as you read this. The question is whether he’ll stick with the roster in place exercising caution.

Or is he more apt to take a bigger swing to add an offensive talent who would offer better balance?  What we do know is, as long as the OKC Thunder play to their defensive identity they’ll be in every game. So, Presti has time to reach for that rabbit.