OKC Thunder: Five Small Forwards Who Would Fit Well with the Thunder
There’s no doubt that the OKC Thunder will be active before the trade deadline; the only question is who they will be bringing in.
At this very moment the OKC Thunder are 10-8, winning two straight games against the Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons. They’ve looked fantastic in their last 59 minutes of game action: the defense has stepped up, the ball movement has been crisp and Russell Westbrook has been Russell Westbrook.
Even with these two performances, there is an obvious hole in Oklahoma City. You know what is and I know what it is. A starting small forward.
Nov 23, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson (21) during the second half at Golden 1 Center. The Kings beat the Thunder 116-101. Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Andre Roberson has filled the role admirably, but he is better fit playing shooting guard to better fit the Thunder’s style of play. Without a solid backup (sorry Kyle Singler), Jerami Grant has been forced to play in that role even though he is much better fit to play as a small-ball four.
Luckily for OKC fans, the Thunder have assets upon assets upon assets. They have young prospects in Cameron Payne, Alex Abrines and (please no) Domantas Sabonis. They have expiring contracts like Anthony Morrow and Nick Collison who could prove to be valuable.
But the best asset they have is Enes Kanter. Kanter is a scoring machine on a long-term contract; with the rest of the roster there isn’t a player Sam Presti couldn’t swing a deal for.
But who should the OKC Thunder consider? I have a few ideas…
5. Rudy Gay, Sacramento Kings
Nov 27, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) prepares to shoot the ball as Brooklyn Nets forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) defends during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
If you pay attention to NBA rumors at all, you’ve heard about Rudy Gay to the Thunder. Personally I don’t think it will happen, but because of all the talk I figure I should address the idea.
At 30 years old, Gay is posting numbers above his career high in virtually every statistical category. His 41% three-point percentage is easily the highest of his career, and the former Raptor/Grizzlie is playing the best defense of his career.
Nov 10, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
In terms of strictly basketball, Gay is the hands-down pick to join the Thunder. He gives them a consistent three-point threat at small forward (assuming this continues), another perimeter scoring threat to take pressure off Russ and a solid defender. But there’s only one problem.
Gay is in a contract year.
Sam Presti won’t give up young assets to bring over a player who may not stay in the future; his eye is always three years ahead in every trade. The fact that Gay is in a contract year also explains the defensive anomaly. Rudy always has had the ability to be a solid defender, but he’s never put the proper effort in on that end.
Finally, bringing Gay over would be a short-term move. I’m sorry to break it to you, but the Thunder aren’t winning a championship this year. If Sam Presti is making a trade, it’s going to be for a player who can help the Thunder both this year and two years down the road.
4. Wilson Chandler, Denver Nuggets
It really was too bad that Sam Presti couldn’t find a way to send Wilson Chandler to OKC with the Joffrey Lauvergne trade. After starting the season slow, Chandler has picked his play up to the point that he’s actually statistically outperforming Gay in the month of November.
Nov 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Nuggets defeated the Suns 118-114. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The 29-year old is averaging 20 points and 8 rebounds a game while shooting 49% from the field. Like the rest of the OKC roster, he is an average three-point shooter who gets most of his points around the rim. But the beauty of this pick is Chandler’s defensive ability.
At 6’8 225 pounds, Chandler has the size/athleticism to play either the three or four. He fits right into the “switch everything” defense the Thunder play and his experience would be beneficial for a young Thunder team.
Oh and the contract? Chandler is locked up for the next three seasons at roughly $12 million per year, a bargain for a starting small forward in this day and age. He’s known as being a high character guy around the league so he’d fit right in the culture of Oklahoma City as well.
Maybe he should be higher on this list?
3. C.J. Miles, Indiana Pacers
C.J. Miles may not be a sexy name, but he is a darn good basketball player. Miles is out with a knee injury at the moment; before he went down he was a rare bright spot for the Pacers at the beginning of the season.
Miles is averaging 13 points and 3 rebounds a game while only playing around 22 minutes a night for Indiana. He’s a career 35% shooter from deep, yet Miles has started the season hitting over 48% from behind the arc. The difference is he’s taking less shots but getting better looks on his attempts.
Nov 14, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward C.J. Miles (0) steals the ball from Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) in the second half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana Pacers beat the Orlando Magic 88-69. Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
The 29-year old would bring a lot of the same qualities as Wilson Chandler (experience and locker-room guy), but at an even bigger discount. Miles is due to make a little under $5 million the next two seasons which is incredibly important.
As of now, Russell Westbrook is only guaranteed to play one additional season in Oklahoma City. He has a player optout after the 2018 season; if Sam Presti hasn’t done enough to convince Russ the Thunder can be title contenders than Russ could walk. By trading for Miles, Presti would have even more cap room to work with to bring in a running mate for Russ.
The Pacers are 3-3 without Miles (and 9-9 on the season), so maybe Presti can convince Larry Bird that C.J. isn’t THAT important for the overall success of the team. At least that’s what I’m hoping.
2. TJ Warren, Phoenix Suns
If it wasn’t for the absolute perfect fit at #1 (hint hint keep reading) Warren would be my number one guy. So he can’t play defense and doesn’t fit into the uber-athletic style the Thunder want to play. What he can do is put the ball in the bucket…a lot.
Warren’s in his third season in the league, and each year he has taken a step. After averaging 6 points a game his rookie year, the former N.C. State forward jumped his average to 11 points last season. This year he is averaging 17 a game through 13 games.
November 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren (12) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Suns 133-120. Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Now like Miles, TJ is also out at the moment; he suffered a “minor head injury” that has kept him out since November 19th. Also like Miles, he is on an incredibly cheap contract. Presti loves trading for players on their rookie contract, and Warren has two additional seasons at approximately $3 and $4 million respectively. If he continues to improve at this rate, that will pale in comparison to his actual worth.
The Suns have a whole mess of young talent but no way of helping each player reach their full potential so they should explore trading a piece or two. They’ve experimented with Marqueese Chriss at small forward and also have Jared Dudley and P.J. Tucker on the roster. Out of all their young guys, Warren is the most expendable.
1. Otto Porter, Washington Wizards
Nov 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) dunks the ball against the Boston Celtics during the first half at Verizon Center. Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
It’s time to start the petition to get Otto out of Washington. I don’t care if he ends up in Oklahoma City. I just hate seeing a young guy with a good head on his shoulders forced to play on the team where the best players actively despise each other.
If it wasn’t for Porter, Washington fans would have nothing to be happy about. The fourth year guy is averaging almost 15 points and 8 rebounds a game; he’s taking two more shots a game while converting on 4% more of his field goal attempts than last season.
At some point this season, the Wizards are going to make a move. Whether that’s trading away either John Wall/Bradley Beal or bringing in another running mate, Washington can’t keep this roster the way it’s currently constructed.
More from Thunderous Intentions
This makes even more sense when you consider Sam Presti’s trade history. He took advantage of an Orlando team desperate to make the playoffs this summer. He took advantage of a Utah team who needed to get rid of one of their talented bigs. He even took advantage of Philadelphia who was just looking for some sort of veteran influence to add to the locker room.
Porter has all the qualities you want in a Thunder player. He’s young, a good defender, can play multiple positions, has a high character and he’s only getting better. Porter will become a restricted free agent after next season, but that still buys Presti another year to play with.
Remember, Sam Presti always makes the trade that nobody expects until it happens. Back in the day he put out rumors that the team wanted Brook Lopez but in reality they were going after Enes Kanter the whole time.
Basically what I’m saying is the Rudy Gay trade will not happen. Based on his past acquisitions, it makes more sense for Presti to trade for a guy like Porter than a vet like Gay. I just hope Porter is his guy.
This article originally appeared on 
