For months now, the OKC Thunder have found themselves linked as a popular landing spot for sharpshooting forward Cameron Johnson.
Widely regarded as one of the top targets during this year's trade season, the Nets stud is believed to be a talent that could be of great service to any contender in need of extra perimeter and tertiary scoring. As fans will attest, the Thunder certainly fall into these two camps.
Of course, though he may be considered an ideal target, there's no guarantee Brooklyn will ultimately decide to send their prized possession out to the Sooner State ahead of February's deadline, which means Oklahoma City should have alternate courses of action planned out should a deal not materialize.
In such an event, there are three pivot options, in particular, who should be high on Sam Presti's radar.
Alternate targets Thunder could pursue if Cam Johnson is off the table
Isaiah Stewart
The Thunder have been extremely hobbled by injuries this season, specifically at their pivot position with all three of Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jaylin Williams missing extended time due to health-related issues.
Now, with the recent news that I-Hart is heading back to the sidelines with a left soleus strain coupled with the fact that Chet's return to action is still undisclosed, there's a strong argument to be made that OKC should consider targeting extra center help during this year's trade season.
Should this wind up being a mission of theirs, Pistons big Isaiah Stewart could very well be the perfect target for them to pursue.
A high-energy contributor with a tough-as-nails attitude, the 23-year-old finds himself playing through year five boasting career averages of 8.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 50.0 percent from the floor and 34.1 percent from distance.
Stewart's addition would provide the Thunder more opportunities to run two-big, five-out lineups while further strengthening their center depth both for the now and, considering he's under contract through 2028, the foreseeable future.
Jerami Grant
A fun alternative option to Cameron Johnson that holds equal value to his from a talent perspective would be Trail Blazers power forward, Jerami Grant.
A familiar name to Thunder faithful, as he was a member of the franchise from 2016-17 through 2018-19, now in his 11 season in the association the 30-year-old is still playing at a rather high level while posting 15.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game on 38.2 percent shooting from distance.
Unfortunately for him, however, his efforts have been wasted on this cellar dweller Portland squad, as they are a mere 13-26 while steering fully into an all-out rebuild.
With his combination of inside-out scoring skills and positional versatility thanks to his length (6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan) and athleticism, a reunion with Jerami Grant could be a tremendous alternative plan for Oklahoma City to consider.
Kelly Olynyk
It's hard to believe that Kelly Olynyk has not been a regularly mentioned trade target for this Thunder team among fans and pundits this season, because, in many ways, he's an ideal backup center option.
Now in his 12 season in the association, the big man is serving as a low-usage reserve for his home country Toronto Raptors and is posting averages of 6.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting 44.4 percent from deep in just 14.7 minutes a night.
A career 37.0 percent shooter from distance, the addition of Olynyk would help aid in Oklahoma City's pedestrian long-range game this season while his 6-foot-11, 240 pound would provide the team with a much-needed insurance policy in the size department behind the likes of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Add on the fact that he has an already established relationship with both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort after serving as teammates for Team Canada during this past summer's Olympic Games, and there's little to no reason to why Kelly Olynyk should be seriously considered as a trade target for this big man depth-needy Thunder squad.