Biggest need Thunder must address in 2024 NBA offseason

The No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, James Wiseman actually had a solid rookie season for the Golden State Warriors. An unfortunate injury cause him to miss the entirety of the 2021-22 season and he was playing catch up ever since.

Wiseman was unable to solidify a spot in the Warriors rotation and they unceremoniously shipped him off to the Detroit Pistons at the 2022-23 trade deadline. Despite the Pistons futility the past two seasons, Wiseman actually played rather decent off the bench. This year he grabbed the backup center spot from Marvin Begley III whom the Pistons traded to the Washington Wizards in accordance.

Over the course of one and half seasons with the Pistons, Wiseman averaged 8.6 points and 6.1 rebounds with splits of 57.6 percent shooting from the field and 70.8 percent shooting from the free-throw line. Wiseman is set to be a restricted free agent should the Pistons tender a qualifying offer.

It likely wouldn’t take much for the Thunder to acquire Wiseman. If the Pistons don’t bring him back, a minimum deal might be all that does it. He’ll have a real shot to make an impact on a winning team while the Thunder could have a real backup center on a cheap deal. All the Thunder would need from him is to be a rim-running threat, grab a few boards, run the floor and block a shot here or there.

Jalen Smith could be a target for the Thunder to address their size

Another player the Thunder could look at is the Indiana Pacers’ Jalen Smith. Smith can hit unrestricted free agency this offseason should he decline his player option with the Pacers. If Smith declines his player option, the Thunder should absolutely jump at him in free agency. If Smith picks up his player option, the Thunder should inquire about a possible trade.

As of right now, Smith is behind Isaiah Jackson on the Pacers center depth chart. He’s shown flashes here and there since he’s been in the NBA but has not been able to carve out a consistent role either with the Pacers or with the Phoenix Suns who drafted him with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

This past season, Smith averaged 9.9 points and 5.5 rebounds with splits of 59.2 percent shooting from the field and a career-high 42.4 percent shooting from the three-point line. He’s a floor spacer and good rebounder who perhaps isn’t as impactful defensively. He finishes at the basket.

Smith still has a lot of potential and if he hits the free agent market the Thunder will likely have competition for his services. But he is ready for a consistent role and the Thunder could provide that while being on a contending team.