Three Bigs the OKC Thunder Should Target at the NBA Trade Deadline

February has arrived, which means the NBA Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching. 

Many teams and players have floated around in trade rumors in recent days as the gap between the top and bottom of the league continues to grow. Teams are making final decisions on whether to buy or sell their players, depending on how close they are to making a run at the playoffs.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are amongst those teams, and it's pretty clear that it wants to improve its roster to increase its chance at making a push for the NBA Finals. 

Although the Thunder have been a force in the Western Conference with a 35-15 record this season, there are still glaring holes that must be addressed to truly remain as a threat once the playoffs roll around. One of those holes is the backup center position, where it desperately needs a big man with size who can make an impact on the defensive end. 

Several players who fit that mold surround the trade market, leaving Oklahoma City with plenty of options to target. 

Target #1: Daniel Gafford (WAS)

The 2023-24 season hasn't treated the Washington Wizards too kindly, holding the second worst record in the entire league. They will certainly look to sell off some of their pieces, which may include Daniel Gafford. 

The six-year veteran is spending his fourth season in Washington and has been a consistent role player in a mixed starting and bench role, but he's stepped into a full-time starting role this year with averages of 10.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. 

Gafford is a strong paint presence and rim protector that could fill in the shoes of Chet Holmgren once the rookie heads to the bench, while also providing efficient scoring inside. 

The Thunder consistently lose a lot of value when Holmgren is out of the game, and while Gafford wouldn't be able to fully replace his production, it would be a much better option than what it currently has. 

Gafford is under contract for two more seasons making over $12 million, so trading for him would require giving up a couple of players to match salary alongside draft consideration. This could include Tre Mann and Aleksej Pokusevski, two players looking on the outside of the rotation.

Target #2: Andre Drummond (CHI)

The name most attached with the Thunder has been longtime veteran Andre Drummond, one of the NBA’s premier rebounders.

The 30-year-old hasn’t been a consistent starter for a few years, but has embraced the backup role of a defensive energy piece. And while his role may have lessened, he’s still a valuable rebounder that contending teams desire. 

Drummond’s averaging 7.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game this season, playing as one of the key pieces of the Chicago Bulls’ bench. They’ve hovered around .500 for most of the season and have a spot in the Play-In Tournament, but will likely begin selling off pieces at the deadline. 

The shopped-around big man has shown an ability to thrive without being a top option. He’s many a time played a larger role while Nikola Vucevic sees fewer minutes or even sits out entirely, flexing his rebounding and efficient scoring in minimal game action.

The Thunder has its big man in Holmgren, and Jaylin Williams behind him. It isn’t looking for a replacement for either, which helps its case because Drummond would enter Oklahoma City not expecting to be a starter. 

The NBA’s second-youngest squad would benefit from Drummond's efficient play on the bench and his veteran experience, even if it's just for one season. The Thunder could certainly try re-singing him in free agency if it's happy with his production, but having him for the playoffs this season would be enough to make the trade worth it.

Target #3: Nick Richards (CHA)

Another team going through a tough rebuild is the Charlotte Hornets, who currently find themselves without much of an identity or direction. LaMelo Ball is a franchise cornerstone and Brandon Miller is one of the most promising rookies of his class, but a winning culture has rarely been in Charlotte throughout its tenure. 

This will result in some of its top players likely being moved at the deadline, including forward P.J. Washington. Another player finding himself in trade rumors is Nick Richards, the primary starting center for the franchise. 

With increased opportunity this season, Richards has bumped his averages up to 9.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks a game, giving the Hornets a legitimate presence in the paint at seven feet tall. 

Much like the centers mentioned before him, Richards would be able to provide quality minutes behind Holmgren in the rotation, adding size and rebounding to a Thunder roster that lacks it. He's shown a lot of promise this season, which is part of why he has frequently been involved in trade discussions. 

Richards has a multi-year contract like Gafford, but is only making $5 million annually, so it is a very manageable contract to take on long-term. It would likely require similar compensation, as the Hornets would assuredly be looking for any draft picks they could get. 

No matter who the the Thunder acquire at the trade deadline, gaining one of these veteran centers could help bolster a roster that needs help in the size and rebounding department. It will need quality rotation minutes behind Holmgren at the center position in the playoffs, or else teams will find ways to take advantage of the issue. 

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