NBA Trade Rumors: 3 players the OKC Thunder should keep out of trade talks

Heading into the summer of 2018, many analysts had ruled the Oklahoma City Thunder out as contenders ahead of the 2018/19 season. The team were coming off of yet another first-round playoff defeat, and Paul George was widely expected to leave the franchise after just one year.

Nevertheless, the Thunder managed to convince PG13 to commit his peak years to the franchise, and the team was also able to acquire Dennis Schroder in return for Carmelo Anthony. These summer moves have worked wonders for the Thunder, and at the halfway point of the season, the team sits 3rd in the Western Conference standings with a record of 26-17.

Nevertheless, while the Thunder are currently in a strong position, general manager Sam Presti has a tendency for making surprise trades. With this in mind, here we will look at three members of the roster that the Thunder should keep out of trade talks as we head towards the February trade deadline.

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#3 Raymond Felton

Oklahoma City Thunder v Utah Jazz - Game Three

During the 2017/18 season, Raymond Felton proved to be a reliable back up option for Russell Westbrook, although the point guard has seen little game time for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season. The addition of Dennis Schroder has relegated Felton to the third choice, although as we head into the trade deadline, the 34-year-old appears happy to remain in his current role on the team.

Felton is signed to a veteran's minimum contract, so his salary is not an issue for the Thunder, and the former Knicks man is also an experienced player to have in the locker room. If the Thunder were to suffer an injury to either Westbrook or Schroder, Felton remains a ready-made replacement, and it makes no sense for the Thunder to trade away a player that they will receive very little in return for.

#2 Nerlens Noel

Oklahoma City Thunder v Washington Wizards

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been linked with a move for Kevin Love this month, and this has cast doubt over the future of Nerlens Noel. Nevertheless, Noel has accepted his role from the Thunder bench this season, and despite only playing 13.7 minutes per night, the center has still managed to average 5.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

Noel has successfully provided backup to Steven Adams, and due to Noel's consistent performances from the bench, the Thunder no longer suffers when Adams takes time out from the game.

The 24-year-old is currently signed to the Thunder on a two-year deal, worth just $1.7 million for the season, although Noel can opt out of his contract at the end of the current campaign. Nevertheless, the Thunder should work on convincing Noel to stay, as the center could be vital to the team's playoff hopes.

#1 Jerami Grant

Oklahoma City Thunder v Utah Jazz - Game Six

Up until this week, Jerami Grant had been ineligible for a trade, as the player had signed a three-year, $27 million contract extension with the Thunder last summer.

Since signing that extension, Grant has forced himself into the OKC's starting lineup for the first time in his career, and the forward has started 40 of the Thunder's 43 games so far this season. The 24-year-old is also enjoying his best season on the court, as Grant is currently averaging 12.6 points per game, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.

Despite this, Grant's place on the OKC roster is always under threat, as the team is unlikely to even consider trading away their star trio of Russell Westbrook, Steven Adams, and Paul George. Nevertheless, Grant is continuing to develop into a starting calibre player, and the Thunder should be looking to keep the forward, rather than offering him as part of a trade for a big name such as Kevin Love.