Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 players who could leave the Thunder in the coming weeks

Steven Adams is among the names being linked with an exit from the Oklahoma City Thunder
Steven Adams is among the names being linked with an exit from the Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the 2018/19 season with the belief that they could compete for a first NBA title, although the Thunder's season ended with an increasingly familiar first-round playoff elimination.

OKC fell to a 4-1 series defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers, and Billy Donovan's team have failed to win a playoff series since Kevin Durant exited the team back in 2016. This is a worrying trend, as Paul George could leave in 2021, while Russell Westbrook is also entering the twilight of his prime.

With one of the biggest salary bills in the NBA, the Thunder are also believed to be looking to offload a number of high earners this summer, rather than add new additions. This puts a few players at risk, and here are three players that could leave the Thunder in the coming weeks.


#3 Dennis Schroder

Dennis Schroder is an expensive luxary for the Oklahoma City Thunder
Dennis Schroder is an expensive luxary for the Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Dennis Schroder as part of the trade for Carmelo Anthony last summer, although the team is already believed to be keen to part with the German.

Schroder performed well in his debut season in OKC, averaging 15.5 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game and the 25-year-old was also widely lauded as the NBA's best backup point guard. However, Schroder still has two years remaining on the four-year, $70 million deal he signed with the Hawks, and the Thunder simply cannot afford to pay a backup point guard upwards of $17 million per season.

Schroder was also exposed on the defensive end during the playoffs, and Sam Presti will be hoping to rid the Thunder of Schroder's deal while also bringing in a reliable shooter.

#2 Andre Roberson

Andre Roberson missed the entire season due to a ruptured left patellar tendon
Andre Roberson missed the entire season due to a ruptured left patellar tendon

Andre Roberson missed the entire 18-19 season with a ruptured left patellar tendon, and while the team missed his immense impact on the defensive end, Roberson is reportedly among the individuals that the Thunder are willing to depart with this summer.

The 27-year-old is set to make $10.7 million for the 19-20 season, and his expiring contract could make Roberson an attractive proposition for rival teams. While the Thunder would miss Roberson's defensive impact, Billy Donovan's team still boasted the NBA's fourth-best defense without their star defender on the court.

Due to his unique skillset, Roberson will attract interest, although teams may demand that the Thunder take back salary as part of any trade - something that Sam Presti wants to avoid. Ultimately, Roberson is available, although it will take the right offer for OKC to part with him.

#1 Steven Adams

Steven Adams has been a mainstay in Billy Donovan's starting lineup
Steven Adams has been a mainstay in Billy Donovan's starting lineup

Steven Adams continued to perform well during the 18-19 season, averaging 13.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. However, the Kiwi is the team's third highest earner and is owed $52 million over the next two years.

Multiple reports have suggested that the Thunder are willing to offload their influential center, and with Nerlens Noel set to return, and Mike Muscala joining in free agency, the writing appears to be on the wall.

The Boston Celtics and the Sacramento Kings have both been credited with having interest in the 25-year-old, although both teams made major moves on the first day of free agency.

At 25, Adams still has the potential to transform into an All-Star, and the center is likely to attract interest from new suitors over the coming weeks. Ultimately, Adam's destination remains unknown, although the Thunder have certainly prepared for his exit.

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