OKC Thunder: 3 players to consider flipping Kemba Walker for

The OKC Thunder may have gone about and acquired the likes of Kemba Walker late last week via trade with the Boston Celtics, but no one should believe that the point guard will be having a long-term stay in the Sooner State.

While we at TI certainly believe that the fallen star still has something left in the tank to offer a ball club — after all, he did just post 19.3 points, 4.9 assists, four boards, and 1.1 steals on 36 percent shooting from deep during a “down year” –, at this stage in his career he’s best served on a team looking to contend for a championship rather than the top spot in the NBA Draft.

Because of this, we are under the impression that, sooner or later, Sam Presti and co. will look to offload the recently acquired guard via trade to either cash in on more draft capital, acquire a young player, or, in some instance, perhaps both.

That said, due to his large contract (two years, $73.7 million), in any transaction involving Kemba, it’ll almost certainly include a similarly egregious deal coming back in return.

With this in mind, should the OKC Thunder front office look to partake in such an endeavor, there are 3 players they should look to consider flipping the veteran for:

OKC Thunder target No. 1) Kristaps Porzingis

Once the Dallas Mavericks were bounced from the first round of this year’s postseason, reports starting to circulate suggesting that starting center, Kristaps Porzingis, was upset about his role within the team’s scheme.

Because of this, naturally, the rumor mill started circulating and suggested that a trade involving the 7-3 unicorn could be feasible this offseason.

We at Thunderous Intentions went about and even suggested the idea of Oklahoma City pursuing the likes of KP themselves, for though his value may be low, his potential is still rather high:

"Still just 25-years-old, the sixth-year talent has plenty of years left to produce at an NBA prime level. Though he’s currently receiving negative press, let’s not forget that the man is a career 18.7 point, 7.8 rebound, and 1.9 block producer with a 3-point shooting clip of 36 percent. Just this past season, in 30.9 minutes a night with Dallas, KP posted 20.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game on nearly 48 percent shooting from the floor and 38 percent shooting from deep."

Frankly, we still believe the OKC Thunder should monitor Porzingis closely and, should he be put on the open market, perhaps offering a package involving Walker — a player Dallas highly coveted just two offseasons ago — may be something to pursue.

Not only would he be a solid scoring addition to this offensively-inept team, but his career 36 percent conversion rate from deep would be of great benefit to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, for such an attribute added to the rotation could thurst their young stud from being in the borderline All-Star conversation to being All-NBA worthy.

With his skill set, perhaps even giving up a lowly future pick to sweeten the pot could still prove to be worth it for OKC.