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.
I definitely agree with you which is the basis of this post. Lauri KAT and Zion are included on this post as best case scenarios but unlikely. Jerami Grant, Kuzma, Gafford and even Poeltl are exactly what this team needs and are all under contract for quite awhile, young enough to fit shai’s timeline and would not cost a ton to trade for. If a trade isn’t made then OKC is relying on the Clippers or Rockets being terrible this year for an opportunity to add to the team next offseason. The Rockets look really good to start this year and I would expect the Clippers to eventually be a playoff team and figure things out with 4 1st team all nba guys.
Something like Bertans, Mann and Poku or Dieng and 1 1st could be enough to trade for any of these 4. Possibly add 2 or 3 2nds in negotiating but 2 1sts and salary filler just got Jrue Holiday and Jrue and 1 1st got Dame, John Collins literally got traded for nothing, CP3 traded for 1 1st top 20 protected and 1 2nd, Joe Harris traded 2 2nds to get rid of, Beal traded for CP3 and only 2nds, Marcus Smart traded for an opt in Porzingis and 1 1st. Last trade deadline, every major trade was for 3 to 5 2nds and no 1sts. No major trade this past year has involved a lot of draft capital and Grant, Kuzma, Gafford and Poeltl are not nearly on many of those guys’ level so they attaining them wouldn’t mean breaking the bank yet they fit exactly what this team needs and will be guaranteed to contribute for 3 or 4 years instead of just hoping for another rookie mid draft next year. But given that, OKC will still be getting those same rookies next offseason with a deal like this.