Nets proposed interest in Thunder forward could finally send coveted veteran to OKC

The OKC Thunder may be one of the most well-rounded rosters the NBA currently has to offer, but even they still have holes that could use for some addressing.

If their slew of frontcourt injuries has taught them anything it's that Oklahoma City could stand to use more reinforcements to help bolster their size, strength, and overall physicality.

Recently, a proposed idea of the Brooklyn Nets being interested in trading for one of the franchise's latest lottery-selected talents could theoretically pave the way toward the Thunder addressing such a rotational need.

Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng proposed as trade target for Nets

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report is under the impression that third-year forward Ousmane Dieng could use a fresh start in his NBA career and sees the Nets as a mutually beneficial destination for his services.

The 11 overall selection in the 2022 NBA Draft, Dieng has shown flashes as a solid two-way player throughout his tenure with the Thunder, though, considering their stockpile of top-flight talents that reside ahead of him on the depth chart, has struggled to come across consistent time on the hardwood.

Swartz believes that the 21-year-old has the potential to "thrive with a bigger role," and, considering his sensational brand of play last year while serving as a foundational piece in the OKC Blue's title run, there appears to be some merit to this claim.

Despite being legitimately in the running for a playoff bid thus far into the year, as they sport the eighth-best record in the East standings at 8-10, recent rumblings are reinforcing the notion that Brooklyn is still "expected to be open for business" during this year's trade season as they eye a full-out rebuild.

Such a situation is the ideal setting for a young and raw talent such as Dieng, as franchises in teardown mode tend to give players of his ilk substantial run on the floor without the existence of any proverbial leashes.

The objective is quite simple for the Nets, as he believes they "should be targeting wings with upside while looking to move veterans like Cameron Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith." Not only would Brooklyn be accomplishing such a goal with a move for Dieng, but the Thunder, themselves, could properly benefit from such an exchange as well.

Both players mentioned by Swartz have been pegged as interesting targets for OKC to pursue for quite some time now, and for good reason.

Cameron Johnson is a quality two-way contributor and lethal long-range shooter amid a tremendous 2024-25 campaign, posting averages of 18.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists on 49.8 percent shooting from the floor and 43.1 percent shooting from deep.

Dorian Finney-Smith, meanwhile, is more of a proven, rough-and-tough style of baller who provides hard-nosed defense and extends beyond the three-point line on offense.

Through 14 games this season, the 31-year-old is posting 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists on 46.6 percent shooting the floor and 41.0 percent shooting from deep.

Adding either one of these players would immediately help boost the overall talent level of the Thunder's frontcourt while also upping their productivity from beyond the arc (rank 19 in long-range percentage) and addressing their long-standing need for a legitimate power forward option within their arsenal, as Johnson and DFS measure in at 6-foot-8 and 6-foot-7, respectively.

All this in exchange for some sort of salary matcher and a player in Dieng who has yet to even sniff a consistent role within this title-hungry rotation? Yes please!