For what seems like the millionth year in a row, all eyes are on the OKC Thunder as we make our way to the NBA trade deadline.
With less than a week to go until the February 6 cut-off, rumors and rumblings are starting to rapidly circulate regarding the ball club's potential to make a serious splash on the market.
Though the safe bet is that Sam Presti and company will ultimately follow their typical course of action by standing pat and shying away from making any sizable in-season shakeups, considering they're in win-now mode and still have a few glaring limitations to their on-court product there's still a chance that Oklahoma City could be active participants on the market.
Of course, in the event that they strike on a deal for a ready-made player, the Thunder will more than likely have to ship out one or more of their own talents to make the money work and, simply, to open up a roster spot.
As for who might be on the chopping block in such an event, it's truly anyone's guess. However, what's all but guaranteed is that there are a specific grouping of Thunder players who will be off-limits in any hypothetical negotiations that may take place.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Starting off the list, we have perhaps the most untouchable player in the entire NBA, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Still only 26 years old, the point guard is playing through yet another remarkable campaign, as he's further proving to be one of the most unguardable and overall lethal two-way talents the game has seen in quite some time.
Behind elite ball-handling and driving skills and his fast hands on the defensive end, Gilgeous-Alexander is once again stuffing the stat sheet with stellar averages of 32.5 points, 6.0 assists, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks on 52.8 percent shooting from the floor and 35.0 percent shooting from deep.
His ascension into superstardome is what has made this Thunder team so special over the past few seasons, and is a leading reason for why they are on the brink of becoming the league's next great dynsaty.
Barring a catastrophic and completely unforeseen falling out, no one should expect Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to be leaving Oklahoma City any time soon.
Jalen Williams
As sensational and valuable as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been for the Thunder's successes this season, there's an easy case to be made that they wouldn't be where they currently are (top-seed in the Western Conference at 37-9) without the contributions of Jalen Williams.
Despite only being in his third season, the 23-year-old has provided the same wisdom, confidence, and effectiveness as a 10-year veteran, especially amid OKC's injury woes that often has seen coach Mark Daigneault call upon the natural wing (6-foot-6, 211 pounds) to slot in at all five positions, including the team's starting center slot for large stretches of the year.
Despite the high-pressure stakes that come with being tasked with such responsibilities, Williams has managed to put forth easily his best season to date.
Through 45 games played, he's posting career-best averages of 21.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.8 steals, and just shy of a block while shooting 47.5 percent from the floor and sporting an elite defensive rating of 104.1.
As a result, he just recently earned the first All-Star selection of his career and further cemented himself as a long-term cornerstone of this Thunder franchise.
Chet Holmgren
It's crazy to think that Oklahoma City has played this well without their franchise big man Chet Holmgren in the mix for the majority of the season thus far.
Before going down with a right iliac wing fracture back in early November, the reigning rookie phenom was off to a sensational sophomore campaign. In nine fully healthy games, the 22-year-old was putting up tremendous two-way averages of 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.9 blocks while shooting 51.9 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from distance.
Along the way, the Thunder went 8-1 and held elite defensive and overall net ratings of 97.3 and 15.0, respectively.
Since losing him to injury, the team has still managed to excel on the court by going 29-7 while remaining rather lethal on both ends of the game.
However, even with this immense success, it's well understood that reintroducing the talents of a healed up Holmgren will only bring this team to even greater heights. In some ways, his arrival back to the lineup could be the missing factor that unlocks their championship potential.
Luguentz Dort
While he may not be the best overall talent on OKC, he is unequivocally the heart and soul of this team.
His scrappiness and hustle during games have proven to be contagious throughout his six seasons with the Thunder, while his leadership abilities and overall expertise are highly revered among his peers.
On top of all this, his ability to guard virtually any position and stroke jumpers from distance (second on team in three-point percentage at 40.7) make him an invaluable 3&D commodity within coach Daigneault's rotation.
Losing someone of his caliber could prove to be absolutely catastrophic both from an on-court and locker room perspective.
Isaiah Hartenstein
With all the injuries that have been sustained on the roster, especially within their frontcourt rotation, it would be foolish to part ways with Isaiah Hartenstein.
Signed in free agency to a three-year, $87 million deal this past summer, throughout his debut campaign with the Thunder the 7-footer has been absolutely phenomenal in his role as as big bodied presence down at the five.
In 29.9 minutes a night, he's dropping career-best averages of 11.5 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks while shooting 55.2 percent from the floor.
However, the beauty of Hartenstein is that he's more than just a menacing stature who gobbles up boards, protects the rim, and sets screens, as he's also one of Oklahoma City's top distributors (4.3 assists per game) who has a knack for dropping precise bounce passes to cutters and kick-outs to perimeter players.
With his brand of versatility as a player and sheer importance from a physicality standpoint, I-Hart should be off the table in any trade talks that may be held between now and February 6.