Josh Smith (Photo : Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors continue and one team that wants to jump in the action is the Oklahoma City Thunder.
They were supposed to be the biggest losers of the offseason since they lost the best player available in Kevin Durant. However, GM Sam Presti has done a yeoman's job to make the most of what he has.
With the Serge Ibaka trade, the Thunder filled some holes in their roster with young talent like Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. The Durant departure was really as a surprise and small forward is now a position that that he has yet to figure out.
There are options on the horizon and some of them are long shots. Yet, Presti is not one to lack due diligence and he is bound to find an answer.
The OKC Thunder was rumored to be interested in throwing their hat in the Carmelo Anthony trade circus but there was much skepticism on whether Melo would agree to leave his beloved Big Apple for Oklahoma.
Melo would have a good chance to win as he would be paired with Russell Westbrook who's playing at an MVP level. There will be questions raised about Anthony's desire to win because of this choice (or non-choice ) but that is the reality of the situation.
Wilson Chandler of the Denver Nuggets would be a good fit but his availability is in question. There were reports that he wanted a trade out of Denver but these were vehemently shot down by Nuggets' Coach Mike Malone on ESPN.
"I dismiss the report as BS, if you will -- which you get a lot of this time of year," Malone said. "Obviously, Wilson can answer that himself when the time comes. But I've never heard anything close to that from Wilson."
He continued: "I laugh at that report, because Wilson Chandler is having a career year. So if a guy is not happy with his role when he's having a career year, that doesn't add up to me."
So which options are actually available? Derrick Williams, a former 2nd overall draft pick was recently waived by the Miami Heat in favor of Okaro White. Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra explained via Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel.
"First of all, with Derrick, we want him to now find a place where he can be maximized," Spoelstra said. "We think both parties benefited, even in this three- or four-month stint. It didn't work out exactly how we wanted to. But now it's an opportunity for him to move on and find a place where he can be maximized."
Williams is an underrated scorer but the Heat may be looking at cheaper, younger talent. They already have their small forward of the future in Justise Winslow but he's currently injured.
Another option for the Oklahoma City Thunder is free agent Josh Smith. This may be the last option as Smith is still in the Chinese Basketball Association playing for the Sichuan Blue Whales. The CBA season ends before the NBA Playoffs begin, so Smith could be a pick-up.
