Oklahoma City Thunder Trade Rumours: Kanter return, interest in Taurean Prince and more

Teams around the NBA now have less than 24 hours to make any final trades before the end of the 2018/19 season.

The NBA's trade deadline will come into effect tomorrow at 3 pm ahead of the All-Star Event in North Carolina, and a number of last minutes moves could change the shape of the league.

With the team already over the salary cap, the Oklahoma City Thunder are expected to have a quiet day.

Nevertheless, the Thunder are believed to be pursuing one final addition to the roster, as the team gears up to challenge both the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors in the postseason.

So, as we enter the final day of the trade market, here are the Thunder trade rumors you need to know.

#3 The Thunder are interested in Taurean Prince

While speaking about the Thunder's trade plans ahead of the deadline, The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported that the team were interested in both Alec Burks and Taurean Prince:

The Thunder are said to have interest in Burks as they scope out the market for a backup wing, according to league sources. Oklahoma City has a $10.9 million traded-player exception to use to absorb a salary. The Thunder have also inquired about Hawks forward Taurean Prince, who I reported was available last month on The Ringer NBA Show.

Since Kevin O'Connor's report was published, Burks has joined the Sacramento Kings, although Prince remains available.

So far this season, the 25-year-old has averaged 13.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, and Prince has also posed a threat from beyond the arc, knocking down 38% of his shots.

Nevertheless, Prince is under contract until 2021, and the Thunder may have a difficult time in convincing the Hawks to part with their most promising forward.

#2 Enes Kanter is a buyout target

Ever since Enes Kanter had a public falling out with the New York Knicks, the Turkish center has been linked with a return to Oklahoma City.

Kanter represented the Thunder between 2015 and 2017, although the center was sacrificed as part of the deal with the Knicks that bought Carmelo Anthony to OKC.

While the Knicks are still looking to trade Kanter ahead of the deadline, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that a buyout is likely:

As the Knicks run out of time to find a trade for center Enes Kanter and his $18.6M expiring deal, discussions on a contract buyout are expected to begin as soon as the deadline passes on Thursday at 3 PM ET, league sources tell ESPN.

Kanter still has a good relationship with the Thunder organization, and there is no doubting that the 26-year-old will be an attractive option if he is available on a minimum deal.

#1 The Thunder will wait for the buyout market

The likes of Wayne Ellington and Wesley Matthews as potential targets

While it is still possible that the Thunder can pull off a deadline day move for a notable name, the buyout market is increasingly looking like the teams best option.

In regards to the buyout market, Erik Horne of NewsOK is reporting that the Thunder will be active, and Horne names the likes of Wayne Ellington and Wesley Matthews as potential targets:

The Thunder’s flexibility in trades is limited... So, the buyout market looms, where relationships become arguably as important as fit. If a player like Matthews, or Ellington, who will reportedly be bought out of his contract when traded from Miami to Phoenix, becomes a free agent via buyout, the race begins to sell the now-free agent.

The Thunder sent Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot to the Chicago Bulls last week, and this move left the team with two open salary spots. Whether the Thunder fill them or not remains to be seen, although there is no doubting that Sam Presti is trying to get at least one deal done.

Edited by Alan John