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The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the 18-19 season with the hope that the All-Star pairing of Russell Westbrook and Paul George could carry the team to a first NBA title. However, after an inconsistent regular season, Billy Donovan's team fell to an all-too-familiar first-round playoff exit.
The Thunder were eliminated by the Portland Trail Blazers, and a 4-1 series defeat was especially disappointing as OKC had swept Damian Lillard and co. during the regular season. While the current roster has plenty of talent, the Thunder are reportedly looking to make big changes this summer, and mainstays such as Andre Roberson and Steven Adams have been linked with exits.
The Thunder will also be looking to bring in new talent, and ahead of a pivotal offseason, here are three players that are being linked with a move to Oklahoma City.
#3 Jodie Meeks
After receiving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA's Anti-Drug Program, Jodie Meeks was released by the Milwaukee Bucks. The veteran subsequently signed with the Toronto Raptors but played just eight regular-season games due to his ongoing suspension. However, Meeks went on to appear 14 times during Toronto's successful playoff run, and the veteran guard remains one of the better three-point shooters on the market.
As one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league, OKC remains desperate to add shooters, and The Athletic's Brett Dawson is reporting that Meeks is among the snipers that the Thunder are looking to bring in.
Meeks is a career 37% shooter from three-point range, and the veteran shot at over 40% during both the 13-14 and 16-17 seasons. Meeks would play a catch-and-shoot role with the Thunder.
#2 Jeff Teague
Dennis Schroder is believed to be among the players that the Thunder are open to trading for this summer, and Dan Favale of Bleacher Report believes OKC would be interested in swapping the 25-year-old for Jeff Teague:
Jeff Teague is on the books for $3.5 million more than Dennis Schroder next season, but he's a free agent in 2020 and a better off-ball fit beside George and Russell Westbrook.
A trade for Teague would be a short term fix, and the primary aim of the deal would be to get Dennis Schroder's contract off the books a year early.
On the court, Teague would take up a similar role to the German, primarily appearing from the bench but also having the chance to close out games alongside the Thunder's starters. While Teague has been a starter for each of the past seven seasons, the veteran may be motivated to play on a contending team.
#1 Kevin Love
Kevin Love signed a new long-term deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers last summer, although the franchise has since turned its focus from competing to a complete rebuild.
Turning 31 later this year, Love doesn't match Cleveland's timeline to win, and Jordan Zirm of Uproxx believes the Thunder are among the contenders to sign the former All-Star:
Love not only adds a presence to play through in the post and stellar passing ability, but his ability to step out and hit the three would give Westbrook and George the spacing they desperately need to operate at full capacity.
In order to get a trade done, Zirm suggests that the Thunder will have to give up Steven Adams, Terrance Ferguson, and Hamidou Diallo. This would be a major risk, although Love would give the OKC a 'Big 3' and potentially the opportunity to compete for a title.
