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OKC Thunder: 3 restricted free agents worth splurging on

By Mark Nilon

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 30: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against the New York Knicks in the first half during game four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at State Farm Arena on May 30, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 30: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against the New York Knicks in the first half during game four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at State Farm Arena on May 30, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
OKC Thunder Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

The OKC Thunder could be one of the busiest and most buzzed-about teams in the entire association this coming offseason.

Not only will they be on the board twice in the first round during this upcoming NBA Draft, with their own pick having the fourth-best odds of landing at first overall, but they also will likely be active participants on the trade market in an effort to find a new home for Al Horford and, on top of everything, will hold the most spending power in free agency of all teams in the league.

With a potential total of $55 million at their disposal, the OKC Thunder will have the ability to afford virtually any player they so choose on the open market.

Of course, they’re rarely a hot destination for the biggest names in free agency, which means that, should they wish to be participants, they may wish to cough up some big paydays.

In regard to restricted free agents, there are quite a few who could be viewed as great targets for the franchise to pursue.

Though for some of these players, it may take some splurging from Sam Presti and co. to simply be able to pry them away from their current ball clubs, we at TI believe 3, in specific, are worth shelling out ample money for:

Restricted free-agent target for OKC Thunder No. 1) Gary Trent Jr.

Gary Trent Jr. is a name often linked as a potential target for the OKC Thunder this offseason and, just recently, was listed by Bleacher Report as being an ‘ambitious’ player for the franchise to pursue.

Citing his impressive play from this past campaign, coupled with the fact that Toronto looks poised to try and retain him, writer Dan Favale believes the only way Oklahoma City would likely have a chance at him is by out-bidding all other buyers.

We at TI believe doing so could be well worth the Thunder’s while.

Still just 23-years-old, Trent Jr. fits the timeline that the team’s current core is on while his two-way playstyle could fit in rather nicely alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the backcourt.

During his time with the Toronto Raptors this year, the wing posted impressive per-game averages of 16.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.1 steals on 40 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent shooting from deep.

A solid contributor on both ends of the ball, Gary Trent Jr. could prove to be a solid addition to this ball club moving forward.

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