For months now, the OKC Thunder and Brooklyn Nets have been linked to one another as realistic partners in a potential Cameron Johnson trade.
The ties between the two parties make an overwhelming amount of sense, as Oklahoma City could use for some shooting improvements within its arsenal and have a treasure trove of draft capital at its disposal while Brooklyn is clearly amid a rebuild, has been actively on the hunt for picks, and, frankly, has no need for a win-now talent like Johnson.
As a result, many see the organizations as being a perfect match to execute a mid-season transaction and, as a result, their activities should be heavily monitored between now and February 6's deadline.
Of course, though the sharpshooter is undoubtedly the prized jewel on the market and, in turn, is presumably the top target for the Thunder, this is not to say that he should be the only player Sam Presti and company try to acquire this trade season.
In fact, he shouldn't even be viewed as the only Nets player OKC should have their sights on, as there's one talent, in particular, who should be high on the front office's radar along with Cam Johnson.
OKC Thunder should be interested in Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe
Outside of a need to address their middling perimeter shooting (rank 19 at 35.1) and second-unit scoring punch (rank 21 at 32.8), what with their extensive injuries this season to Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jaylin Williams the Thunder could also use an extra big-bodied presence to help strengthen their depth down in the frontcourt.
A trade for Cameron Johnson would certainly take care of these former-mentioned issues while adding the likes of Day'Ron Sharpe could go on to positively impact the latter.
Now in his fourth year in the association, the 23-year-old is amid his best season yet as he boasts averages of 7.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and half a block in just 16.7 minutes per game all while registering a defensive rating of 112.
At 6-foot-9, 265 pounds Sharpe sports a daunting build that will give any opposing team trouble down in the paint on both ends, while his willingness to extend beyond the restricted area and, at times, toward the three-point line (hoists 1.3 attempts per game from distance this season) suggests he has the ideal comfort-level to slot in at either the four or five when needed.
On top of his on-court attributes, his expiring deal with a season's worth of $3.98 million in salary would be a rather simple addition to a hypothetical Cameron Johnson trade.
No, this is not a case being made that the Thunder should now be extensively looking into adding bigs rather than floor-spacing wings to their rotation. Chet Holmgren's return to the rotation (whenever that may be) and having him team up with the impressive talents of I-Hart will be a major improvement to their frontcourt collection on its own.
However, as we've seen throughout this season, injuries and player absences are very real, highly unpredictable, and incredibly complex scenarios to deal with.
Because of this, and with the extensive injuries all of Oklahoma City's big men have already endured this year, it could be a strategic and incredibly precautionary move to try and finagle Day'Ron Sharpe into any potential Cameron Johnson trades this season.