With the NBA trade deadline just days away, many fans and pundits are hoping to see the OKC Thunder finally cash in on their treasure trove of assets and strike on a splashy, win-now deal.
Of course, considering their recent activity on the trade market coupled with GM Sam Presti's public comments talking down about making in-season moves, odds are they'll once again shy away from making such a bold decision.
Still, Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report isn't completely sold that Oklahoma City will simply settle for deadline dormancy, as the seasoned writer rattled off a list of three "last-minute targets" he believes the ball club should strongly consider pursuing.
Though each player mentioned has proven themselves to be a stand-out talent in one way or another throughout their respective careers, there is undoubtedly a clear hierarchy among the ballers as far as who the Thunder should consider pursuing should they look to make a move at all.
3. Kyle Kuzma
(**Traded to Milwaukee Bucks on February 5**)
The Thunder could certainly use another scoring weapon within their arsenal, particularly one who would help improve their second-unit's lackluster 19-ranked points-per-game punch. But is Kyle Kuzma really the person who can serve as that difference-maker?
Sure, he's posted averages of 20+ points over the two years leading up to 2024-25 and is posting 15.2 points per game through 32 contests this season, but he's far from efficient in his approach to this area of play.
Throughout his eight-year career, the combo forward converts at a sub-45.0 percent rate from the floor and boasts a highly underwhelming 33.4 percent shooting clip from deep. Currently, this percentage has fallen to an all-time low of 28.1.
At times, it goes without saying that Kuzma can certainly dazzle and impress with his quickness, athleticism, and finishing abilities at the rim. His ball-handling skills are also truly impressive for someone of his 6-foot-9, 221-point frame.
However, if the Thunder are serious about pursuing a trusty tertiary scoring option, they'd probably want to avoid someone like Kyle Kuzma who shoots just 27.5 percent from the floor and 28.2 percent from deep in catch-and-shoot sets and sports a mediocre 37.5 percent effective field goal percentage when running isolation plays.
2. Chris Paul
Adding another guard to this already somewhat crowded Thunder backcourt may not be the first thing fans hope to see this trade season. That said, someone of Chris Paul's caliber and play style could do a lot of good for this rotation.
This OKC offense has grown far too reliant on the services of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While they may register in with a ridiculous 120.7 offensive rating with him on the hardwood (ranks second in the NBA) they plummet down to a putrid 104.3 rating when he's out catching a breather (worst in the league).
It's quite evident that the team as currently constructed struggles to get into a groove in the scoring department with their cornerstone either on the sidelines or taken out of the game by an opposing defense.
A floor general like Paul would do wonders when it comes to keeping the engine running in such scenarios.
Though no longer the perennial All-Star he was back during his one-and-done stint with the Thunder in 2019-20, the veteran is still producing as a highly reliable quarterback on the court for the Spurs. Through 47 games played, he's dishing out an average of 8.2 assists per night (ranks seventh in the league) to go along with 9.4 points and 4.1 rebounds on 36.1 percent shooting from deep
A reunion with Paul would help give the Thunder much-needed stability in the secondary ball-handler department while also providing the club with a go-to offensive generator to have either operating alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to take some pressure off his shoulders or as the initiator when the superstar is out of the game.
1. Cameron Johnson
Easily the most often linked player to the Thunder this season, seeing Cameron Johnson listed as a "last-minute target" for this franchise to consider pursuing ahead of Thursday's deadline should come as no surprise to anyone.
One of the game's true lights-out shooters, the 28-year-old finds himself amid a career-best season where he's dropping sensational averages of 19.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting 49.1 percent from the floor and 41.9 percent from distance.
As noted in the piece by Swartz, adding Johnson would provide Oklahoma City with "another proven scorer" while simultaneously giving them a reliable long-range shooter to help improve their middling overall team average of 35.7 percent shooting from deep (17 in the league).
On top of this, he's an incredibly reliable motion shooter who thrives in off-ball, catch-and-shoot sets, holding an effective field goal percentage of 63.9.
If the Thunder are going to make a splashy move ahead of the February 6 trade deadline it would seem that a trade for Cam Johnson would be the one to make, regardless of the Nets' reportedly high asking price.