With Kevin Durant's decision to join the Golden State Warriors, the Oklahoma City Thunder is expected to fill in the void at the small forward spot through a trade. This early, there are two names emerging as potential trade target for the Thunder: restricted free-agent Harrison Barnes and Sacramento Kings winger Rudy Gay.
Durant's decision to join the Warriors is without a doubt a big blow to the Thunder organization. Without their leading scorer, the Thunder, who are a win short to returning to their second Finals appearance, are in danger of missing the playoffs this coming season, if they fail to address the huge void left by Durant.
The Vertical cap analyst Bobby Marks indicates the current financial situation in Golden State following Durant's decision to sign a two-year, max deal worth $54.3 million (player's option after the first year).
So who are their options at small forward spot?
The easiest answer out there is Harrison Barnes. The former North Carolina standout is currently a restricted free-agent, which means the Warriors can match any offer sheet presented to him by other teams. To make room for their fourth max-level player, the Warriors could facilitate a sign-and-trade deal, sending Barnes to the Thunder in exchange for Durant.
Unfortunately for the Thunder, there's another team interested in Barnes, and that's the Dallas Mavericks, who reportedly offered him a four-year, $95 million max deal. The Warriors need to match it to make a sign-and-trade coup work.
If Barnes isn't anymore available, the Thunder will likely dig deeper into the trade market where Rudy Gay could be available. The Sacramento Kings have been trying to trade the veteran wingman for quite some time, and it appears the Thunder is a perfect landing spot for him.
Now, OKC general manager Sam Presti has to decide which trade assets (draft picks, young players) he's willing to give up for Durant's replacement. After all, he still needs to please another superstar who is about to hit the free-agency market next year in Russell Westbrook.