The Oklahoma City Thunder are serious title contenders. They sit atop the Western Conference and can compete with any franchise. They have been elite with Chet Holmgren only playing in ten games, but he will return before the playoffs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is in the running for MVP, and the Thunder should be looking to maximize their championship odds.
Sam Presti has a ton of draft capital. OKC owns four first-round picks in the 2025 draft and ten over the next three. The Thunder cannot make all those selections. Their roster is loaded with young talent on long-term contracts, which puts Presti in a difficult spot.
Oklahoma City traded for Gordon Hayward before the 2024 trade deadline. The move did not work, but the thought process was sound. Presti may be looking for a repeat, and ESPN recently named the player to watch (subscription required) in such a deal.
Thunder may make a trade to open up roster space
Oklahoma City currently has 14 players under contract and every player is signed through 2026. Jaylin Williams is the only one eligible to be a free agent in that offseason. The Thunder have one open spot, but there is no way to fit four first-rounders on their roster. There is no reason to wait until the offseason. OKC should try to maximize their title odds by improving their roster right now.
Presti traded Tre Mann, Davis Bertans, Vasilije Micic, and two second-round draft picks to get Gordon Hayward at the 2024 trade deadline. It was a way to move a young talent, two contracts, and a couple of picks to get an upgrade. Hayward struggled with the Thunder and was not part of the playoff rotation, but it was a necessary move to free up space. Oklahoma City needed room for Nikola Topic and Dillon Jones to be added in the offseason.
Ousmane Dieng is the most likely player to be dealt away this season. The 21-year-old was the 11th overall pick in 2022 but is playing just 10.2 minutes per game. The Thunder do not have more minutes, so it is time to move on from the talented youngster.
Presti may try to throw Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams into the trade to clear more space. Oklahoma City may draft one player to stash overseas, but they are unlikely to take multiple. Do not be surprised to see the Thunder try to move up on draft night, but Presti would be wise to maximize the talent on his roster by clearing room.
The Oklahoma City Thunder will likely follow the blueprint from the 2024 trade deadline. Who can Sam Presti add to improve their title odds? He will be working the phones to find the best deal. OKC can acquire anyone, and the right role player could make the Thunder the unquestioned title favorites heading into the postseason. Do not be surprised to see it happen before Feb. 6.