Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 players the Thunder should trade ahead of the 2019-20 season

#2 Andre Roberson

Andre Roberson was a key performer for the OKC Thunder before suffering a serious knee injury last year

Oklahoma City fans spent much of 2019 eagerly anticipating Andre Roberson’s return to the court. The 27-year-old has not played since suffering a serious injury back in 2018, and despite being tipped to make his return in time for the playoffs, Roberson remained sidelined.

Without their elite defensive stopper, the Thunder once again slipped to a first-round playoff exit, and the departures of George and Westbrook have left Roberson's future in immense doubt. The forward has just one year remaining on his contract and his lack of impact on the offensive end will no longer be negated by the presence of two elite All-Stars. A trade to a contending team such as the Clippers seems inevitable, although the Thunder may wait until Roberson has finally proved his return to fitness.

#1 Chris Paul

Chris Paul and the Thunder appear to be on different paths

OKC General Manager Sam Presti recently told the NBA media that he and the Thunder expect Chris Paul to play an essential role in the franchise's first-ever rebuild. However, CP3's huge contract will only slow down the Thunder’s attempts of a rebuild while his presence at point guard could also hinder the development of the team's most promising talent in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

While Paul will likely enter the new season as a Thunder player, Presti is known for his ability to move bad contracts, and the veteran has been linked with both the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. The Thunder will need to take back multiple bad contracts in any deal for the 34-year-old, but will be willing to do so as long as they don't exceed the three years remaining on Paul's deal. Ultimately, Paul has no place in Oklahoma City, and he should be turning out for a contender before the season's end.