The Thunder have given up 47.9 rebounds per game and 13.9 offensive rebounds per game to start this season while putting up 40.4 rebounds per game and 7.9 offensive rebounds per game.
Based on the current inability to guard bigs and rebound by the Thunder, I think a move needs to be made for a true big or this is another wasted year.
The following players are rumored to possibly be available this season due to discontentment, a reset of the franchise or contracts not being extended.
Lauri Markennen - Obviously this would be the ideal target for the Thunder. 7 foot tall shooting near 40% from 3 and averaging 25ppg and 8.6 rpg. His contract is up after next season and he does not qualify for a supermax due to switching teams twice. Utah is in the race for the top pick in the draft and should take assets for Lauri to get a better pick given he likely won’t resign with one of the worst teams in the league. Salary of $17mil. Projected trade: Bertans + Mann or Dieng and lots of picks
Zion Williamson - Lots of rumors that NOP is fed up with him and him with NOP. Hardly ever plays but is one of the best pf’s in the nba when he does play. - Salary of $34M - Projected trade: Dort + Bertans + Dieng and lots of picks
Jerami Grant - Portland is clearly tearing down to the studs. Grant would be a great homecoming back to okc and is much better than when he played here. Averaged 20.5ppg on 40% from 3 and plays great defense. Salary of $27M - Projected Trade of Bertans Mann and Poku or Dieng and 1 1st and possibly a couple 2nds
Kyle Kuzma - Washington is tearing down to the studs. 21ppg 7rpg and 3.7apg at 6’10.
Salary of $25M. Would probably just take Bertans Mann and Poku and 1 1st or a few 2nds to pry him from WAS.
Daniel Gafford - Washington is tearing down to the studs- Great rebounder and interior defender. Probably would only take a few 2nds to get him from WAS along with sending Bertans back.
Karl-Anthony Towns - His contract is up after this season and MIN is realizing he doesn’t work with Gobert. He can play the interior 5 next to Chet at the 4 or vice versa but brings the needed size, rebounding and scoring OKC needs. Trade would be Dort + Bertans + Small Contract and likely multiple picks but would have to agree to resign or extend.
Sam Presti has refused to anything to help the team since trading for PG and Melo outside of the draft so I would doubt he would make a move at this point but all of these guys fit the glaring need that OKC has this season and would position OKC to be a deep playoff team for years to come.
We aren’t ring chasing yet. Trading Dort and Dieng now, bad idea. Dort isn’t even in his athletic prime and he’s one of the best clutch moment 1 on 1 defenders in the league, and becoming a consistent scorer. Dieng could be a bust or a phenom. Too early for these moves.
Development years aren’t wasted years. Not every year is chip or bust. The goal this year should be to make the playoffs so our guys get a series under their belt. Not make rash moves to chase a ring we really aren’t ready to compete for.
I don’t think the Thunder should be ring chasing, but maximizing wins should probably be a team goal to see where we are in the process.