3 Under the radar targets for the OKC Thunder prior to the NBA Trade Deadline

Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith Would Work Wonders

The veteran power forward perfectly fills the 3&D archetype. He is shooting north of 45 percent on five catch-and-shoot three-point attempts per game, including 43 percent from the corners.

Oklahoma City leads the NBA in drives per game and owns the ninth-largest pass percentage on drives, so Finney-Smith’s efficient shooting would significantly enhance their drive-and-kick offense. 

Defensively, he has the positional flexibility to mark shooting guards, small forwards, and power forwards. Finney-Smith remains a decent team defender, but his best attribute is in isolation.

He has faced the tenth most isolation possessions this season, and opponents only produce 0.89 points per possession against him. Per Basketball Index, he ranked 20th across the NBA in their metric perimeter isolation defense last season. 

Finally, Finney-Smith is a decent rebounder, especially on the offensive glass. He possesses the eighth-largest offensive rebound percentage among power forwards. Given Oklahoma City’s rebounding woes, the veteran can assuredly aid them in this department.  

Brooklyn owes Finney-Smith roughly $15M next season, and he has a player option for the following season at about $15M, too. Therefore, he will not weigh down Oklahoma City’s salary sheet, and his contract does not overlap with Chet Holmgren's and Jalen Williams’ rookie extensions. 

At 13-13 and holding the ninth seed, Brooklyn isn’t exactly desperate to keep Finney-Smith either. Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson form their long-term forward duo, while Royce O’Neale remains a capable reserve.

First-round pick Noah Clowney is also waiting in the wings. Overall, a Dorian Finney-Smith trade makes complete sense for both sides here.

Bojan Bogdanovic could elevate the team's floor spacing further as a key acquisition.

The veteran has produced roughly a 40 three-point percentage across the past six seasons, and he is north of this mark again so far this year.

In terms of outside efficiency and off-ball gravity, few forwards across the league compare to Bogdanovic.

As a result, his floor-stretching capabilities would completely enhance Oklahoma City’s offense, especially next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

In addition, he’s a crafty self-created scorer who can generate advantages off the fly, even against playoff defenses. Bogdanovic would inject a burst of creativity and half-court versatility into an already deep Thunder bench.

He is a poor defender, but Oklahoma City’s second unit features defenders to help compensate, such as Cason Wallace and Kenrich Williams. Bogdanovic earns about $20M this season and $19M next season before hitting free agency, so it’s not a drastic long-term move. He may wind up costing a first-rounder.

However, Oklahoma City’s treasure chest is filled to the brim, and his offensive contributions are worth the pick. Plus, acquiring Bogdanovic also blocks another contender from snagging him, thus adding even more value to the potential trade.

Chicago Bulls center Andre Drummond Provides Needed Size

At this stage of his career, Drummond is not a playoff rotation player. However, he still dominates the boards to the tune of about seven rebounds in only 13 minutes per game. He easily leads the NBA in total rebound percentage, and the Thunder ranks dead last in opponent offensive rebound rate. 

Drummond could subsequently be useful during the regular season against the giants of the NBA. During the playoffs, Oklahoma City can sub Dummond into the game if they need a key rebound on free throw attempts, and it’s not impossible to envision him getting five minutes in certain matchups.

For example, Minnesota rosters Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Naz Reid, so Drummond’s size would behoove Oklahoma City in small doses. 

He is on an expiring $3.3M contract; if it does not work out, then Oklahoma City can move on this summer without any lasting damage besides the lost second-round pick or two that it took to acquire him. Overall, the veteran would be a positive acquisition for pennies.