For most of the season, the OKC Thunder have oft been penciled in as a club that should look to make a move for a forward.
However, following Ajay Mitchell's turf toe sprain, the front office may want to pivot their attention elsewhere.
The rookie phenom's injury is expected to have him sidelined for 10-12 weeks, meaning that Oklahoma City will be operating without a backup point guard until at least the end of March.
Because of this, a trade for a replacement option should easily be in the cards, and there are three candidates, in particular, who could make their way to the Sooner State in the coming weeks.
Ball-handling guard Thunder must consider pursuing this trade season
1. Alec Burks
It's no secret that Jimmy Butler is trying his absolute hardest to get out of Miami, and Pat Riley may have no choice but to move him.
However, with a contract as large as the six-time All-Star's, most pursuing teams will probably have to send out multiple players to match his incoming salary in a trade. This could mean that cheap contract Heat players like Alec Burks, Josh Richardson, and Pelle Larson could be heading out of South Beach ahead of this year's deadline.
Oklahoma City once expressed major interest in Burks, even going so far as to sign him back during the 2019 Moratorium period.
The veteran fits well within coach Mark Daigneault's rotation as a sizable 6-foot-6 combo guard who can run with both the bench and the starting unit when needed.
The Missouri native shoots 38.4 percent from deep for his career while averaging 10.6 points and 2.0 assists per game. On top of all this, the 14-year pro has appeared in 28 playoff games over his career which would bring more valuable experience to a young team like OKC.
Where the Thunder can jump in is by offering a way to reroute a player like Burks in return for a more enticing piece like 21-year-old Ousmane Dieng.
The Frenchman has shown flashes during his three-season stint in Oklahoma City, but hasn't quite found his role.
A team such as the Heat seem like a perfect landing spot for Dieng, as they've taken swings on players from a similar mold in the past like Nikola Jovic and Jamie Jaquez. If Sam Presti can work his magic, there's a scenario where OKC is able to get Alec Burks and a couple of second-round picks in return for Dieng as a bonus team in a Jimmy Butler trade.
2. Collin Sexton
Many thought the Jazz would enter a full fledged tank following the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert trades during the 2022 offseason.
Many were wrong.
During the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, Utah had gotten themselves stuck in no man's land -- too good to land a top pick, but not good enough to make the playoffs.
Holding onto veterans like Collin Sexton, John Collins, Lauri Markkanen, and Jordan Clarkson certainly played a part in plunging the squad into purgatory.
However, this year looks different. Utah currently sits at 10-28 on the season, a record poor enough to land them at the fifth-best odds in the lottery. It may finally be the year that they dismantle the roster and embrace the tank.
As a result, this could include moving on from a player such as Sexton, who's averaged 17.3 points and 4.1 assists per game during his 164 contests with the Jazz. The feisty combo guard has a reputation for being a relentless defender, willing to chase opposing guards around all game long.
Adding him to Oklahoma City would immediately make him the best ball handler in their second unit, with a bonus knack for shot creation.
Given that Utah may enter full rebuild mode, they'll want younger assets in return for Sexton. Ousmane Dieng would once again seem to be a perfect player for Utah to take a flyer on as he's loaded with potential.
Along with forward, OKC would have to package locker room leader Kenrich Williams to match Sexton's $18.3 million salary. While losing these two would hurt, the addition of Collin Sexton would ideally make up for their loss.
3. Aaron Holiday
Aaron Holiday is in the middle of his seventh season in the association and second with the Houston Rockets. Of course, he's seen a diminished role this year following the rise of Amen Thompson, leading him to a career-low of 10.5 minutes per game.
What's interesting, however, is that despite the smaller role he seems to still be the same player.
He's shooting 39.2 percent from distance, aligning right up with his career 38.0 percent clip.
Throughout his professional tenure, the veteran guard has shown potential as a pick-and-roll ball handler, pull-up shooter, and trusty finisher. His ability to create shots off the bounce can go a long way as a member of the Thunder bench.
Holiday is on a team-friendly contract, only making $4.6 million this season with a club option at $4.9 million for next year. This makes him a very obtainable asset considering he's not being utilized much in Houston.
The Rockets have been heavily rumored to be active heading into the trade deadline, and Holiday could find his way out as a casualty to make salary work. Similar to the previous Alec Burks situation, the Thunder could jump in and offer a landing spot for the combo guard.
If Houston covets a package to acquire a veteran from a rebuilding team, that said team will be far more interested in Dieng than Holiday, allowing the Thunder to insert themselves into a multi-team trade once again.
While the Thunder and Rockets have been rivals over the years, that hasn't stopped them from making trades. From the 2023 Kevin Porter Jr. trade and the 2021 draft night deal that sent Alperen Sengun to Houston, to the Russell Westbrook for Chris Paul swap way back in 2019 these teams have had a very active relationship throughout the years.