Do you, the reader, still believe that the Oklahoma City Thunder are contenders after losing two of their five starters: All-NBA wing Jalen Williams and All-Defensive guard Cason Wallace.
Let’s rewind the clock. Coming into the season, many saw the Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs as in a class of their own. Followed by the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, and Houston Rockets in Tier 2 as contenders.
Following major early-season injuries, the unfortunate reality is the Thunder are no longer as “in control” or in the Tier 1 contenders, whether people believe they are at the top, in the middle, at the bottom, or not in the group as Tier 2 contenders.
One certainty is that nothing in basketball is guaranteed, and the Thunder are flawed, so they need external help. Now, will this address it? That’s a different question, and we’ll answer it eventually.
Which is why we’re here. We’ll give a list of potential players and break down why each fit makes sense.
Players On Expiring Contracts OKC Could Make a Trade For
Here’s the caveat: these are short-term help for Oklahoma City, particularly utilizing potential Disabled Player Exceptions (DPE) at approximately $15 million. They can get more help from their Trade Exceptions (TPE) from the Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, and Ousmane Dieng moves and targeting players on expiring contracts to manage and stay under the second apron (6.9 million under the second apron) for this particular season to avoid long-term luxury tax constraints.
Ty Jerome
Salary for 2026–27: $9.2 million
Jerome’s familiarity with the Thunder’s organization and system would be a welcome return, boosting the shooting and giving Oklahoma City another ball-handler and creator. Pair these skill sets together, and he makes a lot of sense.
Now the question is: why would the Memphis Grizzlies, off to a 5-0 start, trade Jerome, who’s having a strong early season (29.8 PPG on 50.6% shooting from the floor and 37% from deep on 6.8 attempts a game)?
The counter is, he’s approaching 30 and will need a new contract next offseason. The Grizzlies are on a different timeline and may want to “sell high,” get maximum assets for him, and allow him to play on a contender instead of fully committing to him into his mid-30s at the start of their rebuild.
This would be the dream get-at-guard for the Thunder.
Derrick Jones Jr.
Salary for 2026–27: $10.4 million
As a multi-positional forward, Jones Jr. provides much-needed size and athleticism on the wing, good point-of-attack defense, knocks down shots off the catch-and-shoot at a high rate, and does a solid job attacking off closeouts.
Through the first four games, Jones Jr. is averaging 12.5 PPG on 55.6% from deep on 4.5 attempts a game. While he wouldn’t shore up all of the Thunder’s concerns, he fits exactly what they need. In return, the Los Angeles Clippers, given their current situation, get the chance to add much-needed help assets.
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Salary for 2026–27: $5.9
Jaquez Jr.’s combination of positional size, high IQ, positionless playstyle, defensive grit, scoring upside, and ability to play multiple roles as a Swiss Army knife checks many boxes.
In the early portion of the season, Jaquez Jr. is 17.8 PPG on 53.2% from the floor and 42.1% from deep on nearly four attempts a game. The potential production at that cost could be great value, and with the Milwaukee Bucks in a full rebuild, accumulating assets should be near the top of their list. It’s certainly worth the flyer if you’re the Thunder.
We’ll wrap up with this. How the situation currently stands, do you believe that the Thunder need to make a trade?
Main Image: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
