Oklahoma City Thunder Trade Rumors: Steven Adams attracting interest from around the NBA, Danilo Gallinari could still be traded and more

Steven Adams is among the players being linked with a trade away from the Oklahoma City Thunder
Steven Adams is among the players being linked with a trade away from the Oklahoma City Thunder

Following a third consecutive first-round playoff exit, the Oklahoma City Thunder opted to head towards a rebuild during the summer. Despite entering the series against the Portland Trail Blazers as the clear favorites, OKC was eliminated in five games, and subsequently traded away Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and Jerami Grant. The Thunder obtained a record haul of draft picks in return the starting trio, and despite making a better than expected 16-15 start to the season, Billy Donovan's team is not among the contenders to advance from the Western Conference.

OKC's rebuilding process is still in the early stages, and the team is expected to be active in the trade market ahead of the deadline. With this in mind, a number of the team's high-earners and veteran players could be offloaded ahead of the February trade deadline, and here we will take a look at all the latest Thunder trade rumors you need to know heading into 2020.


#1 Chris Paul is not generating much interest around the league

Paul has been previously linked with a move to the Miami Heat
Paul has been previously linked with a move to the Miami Heat

Following two seasons with the Houston Rockets, Chris Paul was traded to the Thunder as part of the deal that sent Russell Westbrook to his preferred destination. Due to his age and substantial contract, Paul appears a bad fit for a rebuilding OKC team, and the former All-Star has been linked with a move to contending teams such as the Miami Heat. However, Eric Pincus recently spoke to insiders around the NBA, and there was skepticism as to if the Thunder would be able to move the veteran ahead of the trade deadline.

Paul is currently in the second season of a four-year, $160 million contract that he signed with the Rockets last summer. So far this season, the point guard has made 31 appearances for the Thunder, averaging 16.3 points, 6.5 assists and 4.6 rebounds in 31.6 minutes per contest.

#2 Atlanta Hawks among the teams interested in trading for Steven Adams

Steven Adams has been among OKC's best performers so far this season
Steven Adams has been among OKC's best performers so far this season

Steven Adams has played a key role in Oklahoma City since establishing himself as a starter back in 2014, and the center has once again been among the Thunder's best performers this season. Nevertheless, Adams is owed $27.5 million for the 2020-21 season and The Athletic is reporting that the Atlanta Hawks are among the teams that could make a move for the 26-year-old:

The Thunder’s Steven Adams is one of those players who could be dealt before the deadline, and he is someone who has been discussed by the Hawks, according to a source inside the organization. Acquiring Adams would not impact the Hawks during what could be a loaded free agency class (in 2021).

Adams has played 28 times for the Thunder so far this season, averaging 11.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per contest.

#3 Danilo Gallinari remains likely to be traded this season

Danilo Gallinari could still complete a trade away from the Thunder this season
Danilo Gallinari could still complete a trade away from the Thunder this season

When OKC acquired Danilo Gallinari from the LA Clippers as part of the summer trade for Paul George, few believed that the Italian would remain with the Thunder past the trade deadline. Talk of a potential trade has faded down in recent weeks due to Oklahoma City's excellent form, although Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors believes that the 31-year-old will still complete a trade ahead of the February deadline:

Moving Gallinari appears more realistic than dealing CP3, since Gallinari’s cap hit isn’t quite as exorbitant and his contract is expiring. The challenge for Oklahoma City will be finding a trade partner in need of a scoring forward that has the contract(s) necessary to salary-match

Gallinari has established himself as one of the NBA's best three-point shooters over the past 18 months, and the veteran is available on an expiring $22.6 million contract. He has missed OKC's last three games due to injury, although over 27 appearances this season, Gallinari has averaged 18.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.

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Edited by Raunak J