OKC Thunder Rumors: Danilo Gallinari is unlikely to finish the season in Oklahoma City, Steven Adams primed for trade and more

Over the past decade, the Oklahoma City Thunder have entered the new season with title aspirations. However, the 2019-20 season will serve as a transitional campaign after the organization traded away three of their starters during an offseason of change.

Despite the departures of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Jerami Grant, the Thunder still have a talented roster full of veterans, and general manager Sam Presti is believed to be working on trading away his remaining high-earners.

Due to this, plenty of change is expected within the organization over the next few months, and here we will take a look at all the latest OKC news and rumors heading into the 2019-20 season.

#1 Danilo Gallinari is likely to leave

Danilo Gallinari appears set for a swift exit from the Thunder

While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was widely viewed as the best asset received in the trade for Paul George, OKC also landed Danilo Gallinari. The Italian put his recent injury issues aside during the 18-19 season and finished the campaign averaging career highs in points (19.8), rebounds (6.1), field-goal percentage (46%), and three-point percentage (43%).

Nevertheless, the forward turned 31 earlier this summer and has just one year remaining on his current deal. When combined with the demand for sharpshooters in the NBA, Erik Horne of The Oklahoman believes Gallinari will be traded before the trade deadline:

Gallinari is entering the final year of his contract and the Thunder would have to dive deep into the luxury tax to re-sign him, something it’s unlikely to do after trading Grant. Gallinari’s skill set will bring trade offers from playoff teams looking to add scoring punch.

Gallinari is owed $20.5 million for the upcoming season, although his expiring deal and ability to knock down open threes put him among OKC's most tradeable assets.

#2 Steven Adams is thankful for his time with the Thunder and would accept the organization's decision to trade him

Steven Adams still has two years to run on his existing deal

Steven Adams has established himself as a firm fan favorite with the OKC fanbase during his six seasons with the team. The 26-year-old's throwback style has earned him a reputation as one of the NBA's toughest players, and he averaged career highs in points (13.9) and rebounds (9.5) during the 2018-19 season.

However, Adams will earn $52 million over the next two seasons and the Kiwi has been linked with a trade to the likes of the Boston Celtics. Despite his desire to stay with the Thunder, Adams told ESPN’s Royce Young that he accepts that trades are part of the game:

"You’re just here to help. And if you can place your brick, whatever you want to call it… then that’s a privilege, you know. That’s just cool. So even if they did trade me, it’s obviously just a huge honor. And I know with every player that’s here, it’s been a huge honor to contribute to the history that Oklahoma is making."

Whether or not Adams leaves ahead of the deadline, he is still expected to play a prominent role for the Thunder during the opening weeks of the season.

#3 Chris Paul remains an option for the Miami Heat

Chris Paul could still link up with Jimmy Butler in Miami

The NBA season is less than two weeks away, and the Miami Heat have yet to make a move for Chris Paul. The Heat have been linked with the 34-year-old throughout the summer, and many expected them to launch a move ahead of the new season.

Nevertheless, while the chances of a trade materializing before October 22 now look unlikely, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report believes Miami could still make a move if they start the season slowly:

All the links that brought Paul and Miami together over the summer still exist. If Miami starts slow and OKC gets a disappointing read of Paul's trade market, these clubs could come together yet.

Miami is under pressure heading into the new season after failing to qualify for the playoffs in two of the past three seasons. Multiple reports have also suggested that Jimmy Butler was promised a second star, and talks between the Heat and Thunder could pick up sooner rather than later.