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The Oklahoma City Thunder had an impressive season with their young core. The Thunder enter the offseason with the potential to make a trade to solidify themselves as contenders.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is their superstar, as he finished second for the MVP award this season. He averaged an impressive 30.1 points per game, along with 5.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 2.0 steals. SGA shot 53.5 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from behind the arc. His season was phenomenal, and he has established himself as one of the best players in the league.
Outside of Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder have two budding stars: Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.
Williams is a high-quality two-way forward who averaged 19.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. He shot an efficient 54 percent from the floor and 42.7 percent from three. He has become a reliable scorer and defender for Oklahoma City.
The other standout was Holmgren, who impressed in his rookie campaign, averaging 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game. He shot 53 percent from the field and 37 percent from distance. Holmgren’s shot-blocking ability and scoring helped the Thunder leap from a play-in team in 2023 to the one seed in the West this season.
While these are the three stars, others contributed significantly. However, Oklahoma City needs to make some moves to add depth or potentially another star this offseason. With that said, here are three early Thunder trade targets in the 2024 offseason.
Lauri Markkanen
A star on a cheap contract who would fit well into the Thunder’s offense is Lauri Markkanen. The Utah Jazz star is a seven-footer who can score at all three levels. With his offensive skillset, he would fit well next to Williams and Holmgren in the frontcourt.
The 27-year-old averaged 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while shooting 48 percent from the floor and 39.9 percent from deep.
Markkanen is entering the final year of his deal and will make $18 million. The Jazz could move Markkanen if they get an offer of multiple first-round picks and a young player like Josh Giddey.
The Thunder have plenty of first-round picks to deal from Sam Presti’s trades over the years. Markkanen is a star they could extend before having to pay Williams and Holmgren in a few years. He should be a top trade target for the Thunder this offseason.
Wendell Carter Jr.
Wendell Carter Jr. is a role player who would be impactful for the Thunder. Holmgren excelled as the starter for Oklahoma City this season, but with his frame, he struggled against more physical bigs.
The Thunder need a backup center who can play in lineups with or without Holmgren. Carter Jr. fits that mold as a center who can bang and bruise down low while also being able to space the floor.
Carter Jr. averaged 11.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, shooting 52.5 percent from the field and 37.5 from downtown. He is a quality offensive player, but the main reason to bring him in would be his ability to take hits from other centers. Jonas Valanciunas was taking advantage of Holmgren in the first round, but the Thunder were still able to sweep the New Orleans Pelicans.
In the second round, Dallas’ two bigs, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively, dominated the glass. A physical center in Carter Jr. would fill a need for Oklahoma City and could thrive as a key rotational player.
Mikal Bridges
Mikal Bridges is another target for the Thunder to go after this offseason. You can never have enough high-quality 3&D wings in the modern NBA, and the Brooklyn Nets forward is one of the best in the league.
Bridges has two years remaining on his deal and averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and a steal per game this season.
Bridges is an elite defender and is excellent at spacing the floor. He would be an elite third or fourth scorer for the Thunder while creating a formidable defensive lineup with Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren, who are all plus defenders.
The Nets have been hesitant to move Bridges. However, if he becomes available, the Thunder have the cap space and draft capital to get a deal done.
Presti and the Thunder’s front office have a lot of work to do this offseason. Markkanen, Carter Jr, and Bridges should be on their radar as trade targets.
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