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The Oklahoma City Thunder once again underwhelmed during the 2019 playoffs as they were eliminated by an injury-hit Portland Trail Blazers side. However, after witnessing the apparent demise of the Golden State Warriors, Thunder fans believed that the 2019-20 season could finally be the season where everything falls into place.
Unfortunately, Oklahoma City were also undergoing problems behind the scenes, as Paul George forced through a surprise trade to the Clippers. A disillusioned Russell Westbrook quickly followed, leaving the Thunder facing a first rebuild in franchise history.
After seeing such drastic changes over the past month, no player on the Thunder roster appears untouchable, and further trades are likely in the coming months. So, with the 19-20 season quickly approaching, here are three players that Sam Presti and the Thunder should consider trading.
#3 Nerlens Noel
Nerlens Noel agreed to return to the Thunder in the opening hours of free agency, but soon reversed course and asked for more time to weigh up rival offers. Noel eventually stuck to his initial decision and returned for another season with the Thunder, although with Steven Adams seemingly set to remain with the franchise, Noel is set for another season as a reserve.
Noel was willing to play backup last season, although with the Thunder no longer in contention, spending the season in OKC makes little sense for a 25-year-old aiming to earn a big payday next summer. Meanwhile, on the Thunder side of things, Billy Donovan no longer requires the luxury of possessing one of the best backup bigs in the league, and it is difficult to envision Noel seeing out the season in Oklahoma City.
#2 Andre Roberson
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
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.
