Despite possessing a treasure trove of assets consisting of high-end draft capital and promising rookie-scale talents for several years now, the OKC Thunder have shown a reluctance to shell out substantial means on the trade market.
The reason, as laid out by GM Sam Presti himself, is because, in his eyes, "External solutions always bring with them a lot of risks." However, at a certain point, good value may prove to be too enticing to pass up on.
Recently, it was announced that the Brooklyn Nets have lowered their asking price for veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith to just one first-round pick, per Evan Sidery of Forbes. With this, the National NBA Reporter predicts that the 31-year-old will draw "significant interest" from several title-hopeful ball clubs.
Without question, the Thunder should be one of these inquiring teams.
Thunder must consider trade for Dorian Finney-Smith with lowered price
For some time now, Finney-Smith has been pegged as an optimal trade target for Oklahoma City, and it's easy to see why.
Now in his ninth season in the association, the veteran has made a career for himself by providing high-end defensive versatility and consistent floor-spacing down in the frontcourt.
Through 15 games played in 2024-25, DFS finds himself dropping impressive two-way averages of 10.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and just shy of a steal while shooting 46.7 percent from the floor and 42.2 percent from distance.
His productivity on the hardwood and experience contributing on deep-run playoff teams (served as a starter for the Dallas Mavericks during their 2022 Western Conference Finals excursion) would be welcomed with open arms for this talented, albeit still rather green Thunder squad, while his size and natural position would help further strengthen the club's frontcourt arsenal.
Over the last two seasons, Oklahoma City has regularly rolled out a lineup consisting of 6-foot-5, natural wing Jalen Williams as their primary four.
While he's certainly done a tremendous job manning the position and is currently posting sensational averages of 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks on 50.5 percent shooting from the floor and 39.0 percent shooting from deep, for the long-term adding someone with a more natural build to play power forward may be the more strategic and, frankly, safer move.
Considering his 6-foot-7, 220-pound frame and nearly decade-long experience with playing the position, Dorian Finney-Smith seems to fit this mold to a tee.
Now, with his asking price being dropped from two first-round picks just a season ago to one, at the very least, it would be wise for Presti and company to monitor this situation out in Brooklyn closely as we make our way toward the heart of trade season.