Andre Roberson (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The OKC Thunder could explore the trade market before the deadline, and the rumored pieces to be involved in any potential deals include Andre Roberson and Enes Kanter.
Despite a good start to the 2016-2017 regular season, the Thunder are still expected to look for deals heading into the Feb. 23 trade deadline. According to Jon Hamm, Bleacher Report's lead writer for the OKC Thunder, following the long-term deals agreed upon by Steven Adams and Victor Oladipo, the Thunder are in position to be players before the deadline, with the likes of Kanter and Roberson as the main trade chips.
"Ideally, Oklahoma City would keep looking for another two-way option to knock down three-pointers-just like everyone else around the league. But if such players become available, Oklahoma City does have intriguing assets to offer," Hamm wrote referring to a handful of Thunder players, including Kanter and Roberson.
As noted by Hamm, the spike in the salary cap has made Kanter's four-year $70 million contract easy to swallow, making him a possible trade piece in the foreseeable future. On the other hand, Roberson declining to agree on an extension with the Thunder could also see him as an intriguing trade bait for Oklahoma City.
There are very few two-way players available in the league at this point, but if the Thunder are looking for such player, Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay seems a viable option, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.
"The Thunder have been trying to find an athletic forward to complement their roster and pursued Grant as a short-term solution. Oklahoma City has maintained a strong interest in making a deal for Sacramento forward Rudy Gay, but the Grant deal allows the franchise to save money with the departure of Ilyasova's $8.4 million contract this season," Wojnarowski wrote.
Gay has been the subject of trade rumors in the past few months after announcing his intentions to explore free agency next summer. Gay, who averages 23.8 points and 6.0 rebounds this season, provides the Thunder with an all-around player who can be effective on both ends of the floor.
Considering the Kings need of a talented point guard, a package of Cameron Payne and Roberson should entice Sacramento to move on from Gay, although such move does not work under the NBA salary guidelines, which means a third team like the Celtics or Pacers could also be in play on any potential deal.
However, Gay's impending free agency could make him a one-year rental for the Thunder. But if OKC could convince the 30-year-old forward to sign an extension, it is a deal worth exploring for the Thunder.
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