NBA Oklahoma City Thunder

5 Last-Minute Trades Oklahoma City Thunder Should Consider Before the 2015 Deadline

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By @outofboundsjay

5 Last-Minute Trades Oklahoma City Thunder Should Consider Before the 2015 Deadline

Oklahoma City Thunder
Mark D. Smith- USA Today Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder, once thought as one of the best teams in the West, are currently in a battle to make the playoffs. Hovering around the .500 mark with a 25-25 record, the Thunder are three games behind the eighth seed for playoff eligibility. There are still 30+ games to go, but because of where they are in the standings, now is the time to bring in some reinforcements. Here are five trades they should consider before the deadline.

5. Wilson Chandler

Wilson Chandler
Chris Humphreys- USA Today Sports

5. Wilson Chandler

Wilson Chandler
Chris Humphreys- USA Today Sports

The Thunder are still in need of a quality backup small forward for when Kevin Durant is unable to play. Although Wilson Chandler is a starter for the Denver Nuggets, he could find himself with a heavy load of minutes due to Durant’s lingering injuries this season. Plus, if the Thunder are serious about making the playoffs, having that depth behind Durant in the rotation is a must.

4. Miles Plumlee

Miles Plumlee
Mark J. Reblias- USA Today Sports

4. Miles Plumlee

Miles Plumlee
Mark J. Reblias- USA Today Sports

Miles Plumlee might be having a down season, but the three-year center would be a nice young, athletic boost for a Thunder front court that has been relying on Kendrick Perkins as a quality backup big. Perkins is only averaging 5.6 rebounds a game, where as Plumlee, with less minutes mind you, is averaging 5.0 rebounds a game. Plus, Plumlee is a lot more capable offensively around the rim, something Perkins has always struggled with.

3. Jordan Hill

Jordan Hill
Chris Humphreys- USA Today Sports

3. Jordan Hill

Jordan Hill
Chris Humphreys- USA Today Sports

Jordan Hill would be another fantastic addition to a struggling Thunder front court. Hill is having a career year, averaging 12.3 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 48 percent from the field. The Thunder need an offensively capable center outside of rookie center Steven Adams, who is only averaging 7.5 points and 7.1 rebounds. This would be a huge trade for the Thunder.

2. Brook Lopez

Brook Lopez
Ed Szczepanski- USA Today Sports

2. Brook Lopez

Brook Lopez
Ed Szczepanski- USA Today Sports

Brook Lopez is another example of a starting center who might find better production coming off the bench. Lopez could give the Thunder some size underneath the rim for the their second unit, as he is much larger than Kendrick Perkins. When healthy, Lopez is a scoring machine, averaging 15.6 points this season, while grabbing 6.3 rebounds. Lopez is also a phenomenal shot blocker, averaging 1.7 a game. This trumps anything Perkins has done.

1. Taj Gibson

Taj Gibson
Gary A. Vasquez- USA Today Sports

1. Taj Gibson

Taj Gibson
Gary A. Vasquez- USA Today Sports

Taj Gibson would fit the role that Serge Ibaka plays for the Thunder’s starting lineup, but instead with the second unit. Gibson is a stellar defender who has become much more comfortable offensively around the rim. He is hitting career highs in rebounds and field goal percentage this season, while still maintaining his 1.3 shot block average per game. This would be a huge trade for the Thunder’s bench.

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