NBA Trade Window: 3 Oklahoma City Thunder players who could be set for a surprise trade this month

When Kevin Durant opted to leave for the Golden State Warriors in 2016, the future looked bleak in Oklahoma City. Russell Westbrook's long-term future with the team was still in doubt, and the Thunder also opted to trade away their longtime defensive star, Serge Ibaka.

Despite this, Westbrook opted to remain with the team, and the Thunder also made a stunning move for Paul George, which eventually resulted in the 28-year-old committing his best years to the OKC franchise.

Due to this, the Thunder remain a major force in the West, and the team currently occupy the third spot thanks to their record of 25-14. The team's current roster has a lot of strength in areas such as guards, however, the team still desperately needs reliable shooters. This means that trades are likely this month, and here we will look at three players that could surprisingly leave the team.

#3 Alex Abrines

After playing two seasons of Euroleague basketball with FC Barcelona, Alex Abrines was selected by the OKC Thunder with the 32nd overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft. The Spaniard was sent back to the Euroleague with Barcelona, although he eventually returned three years later.

The 18/19 NBA season represents Abrines' third in the NBA, however, the small forward has averaged just 16 minutes per game since his debut. While Abrines has been valuable to the Thunder from behind the arc, his percentage has fallen to just .323 this season, and his place on the roster is not safe.

Abrines is also in the final year of a three-year deal worth $18 million, and the Thunder will likely want to rid themselves of the Spaniard's salary, due to his inability to improve his defensive game. Ultimately, much cheaper shooters are available throughout the NBA, and the Thunder may look to move the 25-year-old on this month.

#2 Dennis Schroder

Dennis Schroder is a starting caliber NBA point guard, although he will forever find his route into the Thunder's first team blocked by Russell Westbrook. The Thunder only acquired the German this summer due to their desperation to offload Carmelo Anthony's contract, and despite Schroder's impressive performances, the 25-year-old's contract means that the franchise could soon look to offload him.

Schroder is currently amidst a four-year, $70 million contract extension that he signed with the Atlanta Hawks back in 2016, and with the Thunder currently limited for cap space, the team may look to offload the dynamic guard.

Schroder is likely to attract plenty of interest as a number of teams around the NBA are currently on the lookout for a new starting point guard, and if the Thunder are offered a reliable three-point shooter in return, they could be enticed into a deal.

#1 Nerlens Noel

Oklahoma City Thunder v Washington Wizards

During the 2018 NBA offseason, Nerlens Noel completed a surprise move to the OKC Thunder. Due to injuries, Noel played just 52 times in his final 18 months with the Dallas Mavericks, and the center opted to pursue a new challenge.

The 24-year-old was last year offered a huge extension by the Dallas Mavericks, however, the Thunder managed to sign Noel to a deal worth just $1,757,429 for the season, and the move is viewed as one of the biggest steals of the 2018 offseason.

Despite impressing as a backup to Steven Adams this season, Noel is well aware that he will never be able to replace the 25-year-old in the Thunder's starting lineup. Noel will be able to opt out of his deal at the end of the season, and if a team aggressively pursues the center this month, the Thunder may make the difficult decision to move Noel on.