OKC Thunder player No. 1) Kenrich Williams
Putting Kenrich Williams on this list of potential trade assets is admittedly a bit upsetting to do, for, just in one season with the OKC Thunder, he’s managed to enter the hearts of fans and media analysts alike with his two-way efficiency and top-notch hustle/ energy whilst on the hardwood.
Bestowed the nickname Kenny Hustle — and, watching him, it’s clear why he’s called this –, acquired as somewhat of an afterthought in last offseason’s Steven Adams trade with the New Orleans Pelicans, the third-year wing has proven to be quite an impressive 3-and-D role player for Oklahoma City this season.
In 21.6 minutes per night, the 26-year-old finds himself posting eight points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists on 53 percent shooting from the floor and 44 percent shooting from deep while also boasting the best defensive box plus/ minus rating on the team out of all players who have logged 800+ minutes on the season.
With all this considered, one may be curious as to why we’d list him here if we believe him to be a serviceable asset and one that we’ve discussed as changing his fate with the franchise in the past.
The main reason why we view him as a surprising player who could find himself traded this offseason is that we believe he could easily fall into a package that involves Al Horford being shipped off.
With the fact that the veteran big 34-years-old and is still owed an average salary of $26.8 million over the next two seasons, any team willing to take on Horford will need sweeteners involved in the exchange.
In the past, we’ve seen hypothetical trade packages concocted that have gotten fans immeasurably irate, be it due to the fact that first-round draft picks were being involved or guys like Luguentz Dort and Theo Maledon were sent packing — both avenues are highly unlikely.
That said, in order to entice a team to make a trade, like we said, enticing additions must be included and, if they’re not willing to add the likes of Dort, Maledon, or high-end draft capital then they’ll need to come up with the next best thing.
Sadly, that next best thing could very well turn out to be Kenrich Williams. However, it would be ideal if they could find a way to exclude him and, in turn, swap him out for this next player…