Grade the Trade: Thunder bring back point guard, add center in fascinating proposal

After a runaway victory over the moribund Charlotte Hornets coincided with another blown lead for the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Orlando Magic, the Oklahoma City Thunder are now tied for first in the Western Conference standings well over halfway into the season.

Even Thunder optimists didn't see this coming this quickly. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has taken yet another step forward, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are fringe All-Star candidates and Cason Wallace is a rotation player already. The Thunder are really good already.

The Thunder can be buyers at the Trade Deadline

The Thunder are incredibly young, so they can afford to be patient and let this season play out. They are also absolutely flush with draft picks and have salaries they can move without touching their rotation. Teams this good often get aggressive at the trade deadline to improve their team; Oklahoma City can do the same.

As we discussed a few days ago, the one identifiable weakness for the Thunder is on the defensive glass. Could Oklahoma City go after a proven center, either to start or play big minutes off the bench? And what if in the process they could add another veteran point guard, one who once wore the Thunder jersey?

Let's take a look at one trade proposal that would bolster the rotation heading into the playoffs.