This OKC Thunder team is seemingly on the verge of accomplishing something truly special.
After fizzling out in the second round of the playoffs last season, Oklahoma City seems to be storming back with vengeance in this follow-up campaign as they sport the top net rating in the league, seem on track to reach GOAT defense status, and, mid-way through the year, boast the NBA's best record of 36-7.
Of course, despite their enviable standing, it appears that this team is one or two pieces away from confidently being seen as title favorites, as there are a few limitations still present within their game that must be addressed between now and the start of the postseason.
With the league's trade season now in its final few weeks, many believe the Thunder should be scouring the market for some sort of outsourced aid to help shore up any and all weaknesses before the February 6 deadline.
Of course, in order for them to partake in such festivities, Oklahoma City must be willing to part ways with more than just draft capital, as any move involving an incoming player will require them to clear up both a roster spot and salary space.
Though guys like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren are obviously untouchable commodities, there are 12 other players on this Thunder roster that, in theory, could be up for grabs for the right package, with three, in particular, who are most likely to be moved in a pre-deadline deal.
Players who could be playing through final weeks as members of Thunder
Ousmane Dieng
One of the most intriguing expendable players the Thunder have on the roster, Ousmane Dieng is undoubtedly a name to keep an eye on as we inch closer to next month's deadline.
A 21-year-old recently selected lottery pick attached to his rookie-scale deal through next season, the power forward possesses a ton of upside that has yet to be realized in Oklahoma City.
This has been no better highlighted than with his production when actually given extensive opportunities down in the development league, as he's fresh off a G League Finals MVP in 2023-24 and is currently posting sensational averages of 20.4 points, 5.9 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 46.2 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from deep with the OKC Blue.
Plenty of rebuilding teams would likely love to get their hands on the untapped potential that the 6-foot-10 Dieng seems to have, especially if it means parting ways with some of their win-now talents in the process.
Kenrich Williams
Kenrich Williams' inclusion on this list is more about his contract situation and personal finances than anything else.
As noted earlier, not only will it take the Thunder parting ways with draft capital and young promising prospects to make a deal work this season, but it will also require them creating space both roster and salary-wise.
Williams finds himself in an odd position out in Oklahoma City, as he's the old head on an overwhelmingly young roster (30 years old) who plays a position they're currently stocked at (wing) and is making $6.6 million this year with another $7.1 million coming in each of the next two campaigns.
In a move for someone like, say, Brooklyn Nets sniper Cameron Johnson, piecing together the desired draft capital will be the easy part. The hard part will be finding out ways to match his would-be incoming $22.5 million salary as well as making room for his roughly $43 million that's to come the following two seasons.
While guys like Ousmane Dieng, Dillon Jones, and even Nikola Topic could easily be included in some sort of outbound package, their rookie-scale paydays will only move the needle so far. Because of this, to no fault of his own, including Kenrich Williams and his specific salary may be necessary to expedite any trades of note ahead of the February deadline.
Isaiah Joe
Somewhere in between Ousmane Dieng and Kenrich Williams, there's Isaiah Joe.
Still only 25 years old, the wing still has plenty of more years to expand his game, which is impressive considering he's already serving as a core rotation piece for the Thunder and finds himself posting solid averages of 9.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 38.8 percent from distance.
However, Joe is also attached to the rather sizable four-year, $48 million contract, which could be very useful in a deal for someone like Cam Johnson, John Collins, or any other higher-priced player on the market.
Of course, like Williams, the fifth-year vet doesn't find himself on this list as a result of any wrongdoing. Instead, however, it is his payday mixed with the semi-redundancy the Thunder have at the position (already have Aaron Wiggins, Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, Lu Dort, etc.) that make him expendable at this year's deadline, especially if Sam Presti and company wish to make a splash.