Thunder: Pass or Pursue on 5 potential offseason targets

Proposed Thunder target No. 4) Kelly Olynyk

Like Finney-Smith, Kelly Olynyk is a player OKC was rumored to have had interest in acquiring at this year's trade deadline though, in the end, they opted to take a swing on the likes of Gordon Hayward instead.

Four months removed from this splashy decision... well, we all now know how that turned out.

This summer, however, the Thunder could have a chance at a do-over of sorts when it comes to the likes of an Olynyk pursuit, and Almanza suggests that a trade could prove to be quite beneficial for the title-hungry organization.

"Olynyk fits OKC’s scheme to a tee. He’s a versatile backup center who can facilitate and stretch the floor with plenty of playoff experience.

Even though the Raptors signed him to a two-year, $26.3 million extension after acquiring him from the Jazz, that doesn’t mean he’s unavailable. Toronto is amid a rebuild after parting ways with several of its top players this past season. A 33-year-old bench big should not be untouchable."

- Clemente Almanza

As was shown during the 2023-24 campaign and throughout the postseason, the Thunder could use for some extra size within their frontcourt rotation.

Of course, considering how well they've proven to play with a five-out scheme and, specifically, with Chet Holmgren manning the starting five spot, a possible target's physique and play style are equally important factors that need to be taken into account -- it should not just be one or the other.

At 6-foot-11, 240 pounds while sporting a career 36.9 percent long-range shooting clip, the 11-year veteran is absolutely someone who fits this bill and, being he is coming off a season where he averaged 9.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.3 steals on 55.5 percent shooting from the floor and 38.7 percent shooting from deep, it's quite evident that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank to serve as a quality rotation piece on a championship- hopeful.

Verdict: Pursue