National Basketball Association

Could OKC Make a Big Trade Before the Regular Season?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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When evaluating team needs for OKC, the picture is obvious. The Thunder need a small forward. The problem is most teams who have a quality small forward don’t have a need for the pieces OKC can offer.

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OKC’s biggest trade asset is Enes Kanter. If they are going to move Kanter, it would be smart to trade him before the season starts. You don’t want to disrupt the chemistry mid-season.

Since, trading for a small forward is such a difficult task, OKC should shift directions and go after a shooting guard.

Now, on the surface this may not make sense.

With Victor Oladipo and Russell Westbrook in the back court why go after a shooting guard?

The reason they should pursue a shooting guard is because Oladipo is a point guard. He’s not a true shooting guard. Also, despite Westbrook’s tendency to shoot a high volume at times, he’s still only 6’3, which means he’s on the short end for a shooting guard.

Along with this, the shooting guard position in the NBA has slowly been becoming less valuable. Outside of James Harden and Klay Thompson, most teams will be willing to trade their shooting guard without OKC having to give up half their roster.

So, who are some shooting guards the Thunder should target?

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The first on the list is JR Smith. Not technically a trade, but, a great wing scorer on the perimeter who the Thunder need. Surprisingly, he’s still a free agent. The Cleveland Cavilers still haven’t resigned him. If there is any chance OKC can sign him, even if it’s small, they should go for it.

Second on the list is Khris Middleton. The Bucks are pretty deep on the perimeter with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Michael Carter Williams in the backcourt. They recent acquired Greg Monroe, but he’s yet to fit into the Bucks system. The issue is he’s a low post player who needs the ball to be effective. Trading Kanter for Middleton is great for both teams. Middleton would offer the length and defense the Thunder need on the perimeter. Also, he’s a pretty good scorer as well.

Third, OKC should consider, at least before the trade deadline, trading for Dwayne Wade. The Chicago Bulls are going to start Wade alongside Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo. There will be huge chemistry problems because none of them are three point shooters and all of them dominate the ball. With Oladipo and Westbrook in the backcourt, Wade would not be required play 30 plus minutes a night, which saves his body. Also, Wade’s contract is only for 2 years, so OKC won’t have to be committed to him long term.

OKC has their sights set on acquiring a small forward eventually, but they have other options as well. We should see Sam Presti make a big trade before the season starts or very early on into it.

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