4 centers potentially available to OKC at the trade deadline

First time in two years, Oklahoma City The Thunder are reportedly active before the trade deadline. Facing a string of injuries, the defending champions are looking for a center to alleviate their deficiencies in the frontcourt. While still leading the league with an NBA best record of 38-11, Oklahoma City is 8-6 in their last 14 games.

It’s still a thought to watch the Thunder make a splash before this year’s deadline, though a head-scratching moveas Brian Windhorst noted, per ESPN’s The Hoop Collective.

“Actually I heard Oklahoma City Thunder“His name in some trade talk, and you look at this team, and you say, wait a minute, this team is, you know, 66 wins or whatever they had last year, champions, when they were healthy this year, they were unstoppable,” Windhorst said.

The Thunder will look to trade for a center who can help rebound and protect the rim before the trade deadline, as points in the paint and clearing the glass have been OKC’s kryptonite during their last three losses in four tries. Here are four viable centers that could be available via trade that would immediately help the Thunder.

Jazz gets:

• Ousmane Dieng
• Second round pick in 2026

Thunder gets:

For many reasons, Jazz center Kevin Love would be ideal for the Thunder. The 17-year-old veteran can still make an impact in a supporting role, averaging nearly six rebounds per game, and remains a 3-point shooting threat. Adding him to coach Marc Daigneault’s frontcourt would give him another useful weapon to clear the glass and score.

Love is averaging 6.9 points on 39.2% shooting, including 35.6% from deep, and 5.8 rebounds in 17.8 minutes per game this season with the Jazz. While a change of scenery in Oklahoma City would allow Kevin to compete for a championship in the twilight years of his career, he would also join a close-knit locker room to adjust.

Most Thunder players are young enough to say they watched Love and in 2016 the Cavs became the only team to come back from a 3-1 NBA Finals deficit in their mid-teens. Additionally, Lion’s newfound social media identity should also resonate with the Thunder’s TikTok scholars Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams.

Blazers get:

• Kenrich Williams
• Ousmane Dieng

Thunder gets:

While some can’t fathom watching a Thunder fan favorite in veteran Kenrich Williams, playing his sixth season in Oklahoma City, shipped before this year’s deadline, the upside of adding Robert Williams III from the Blazers is worth it. Instead of dealing a future second-round pick, the Thunder would have to add Usman Dieng to make the deal work. However, it is a solid two-for-one replacement for the Blazers’ frontcourt.

Given the fact that Williams III hasn’t played more than 35 regular season games since 2022-23, it’s a risky move for the Thunder given his injury-plagued career. However, this is the first season in which he moves to eclipse that mark. It’s the healthiest he’s been in years. Williams is averaging 5.9 points on 73.7% shooting, 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 16.3 minutes per game this season.

This is the kind of production the Thunder can get from consolidating two bench players who often fall out of coach Marc Daigneault’s rotation when his team is healthy. Another rim protector who averages over six rebounds a night, and has a lot to prove as a former Celtics center starting in the 2022 NBA Finals with an expiring contract.

3. Nets center Dai’Ron Sharpe

Networks get:

• Ousmane Dieng
• Second round pick in 2026

Thunder gets:

Nets center Dej’Ron Sharp is a versatile defender who could help the Thunder defend the pick-and-roll while opposing players can stay in drop coverage or vice versa. Sharpe’s evolution as a defensive center over the years has made him an ideal, versatile big man for the defending champions.

In his fifth season with the Nets, Sharp is averaging career highs in many statistical categories, including points (8.0), assists (2.3), field goal percentage (60.7) and steals (1.1) per game. With the Nets in position for some of the best odds to win this year’s draft lottery, Oklahoma City could pull off this deal by sending Usman Dieng along with a second-round pick.

The The Thunder could use a healthy young big man they can rely on who defends at a high level. At the same time, the defending champions are preparing to wrap up the end of the regular season before an expected deep playoff run.

Pelicans get:

• Ousmane Dieng
• Second round pick in 2026

Thunder gets:

The two-time champion Warriors signed with the Pelicans after spending the first decade of his NBA career with the only team he ever played for. However, Kevon Looney fell out of the Pelicans’ rotation and would assume a backup role with the defending champion Thunder.

Looney would be a defensive spark off the bench. With a knack for doing the dirty work, a championship pedigree and an unselfish, team-oriented approach, Looney undoubtedly fits the Thunder culture. In his limited role with the Pelicans, averaging 13.9 minutes per game, he is also averaging 5.1 rebounds.

Amid the Thunder’s injuries, Looney’s jump shot and high energy would be a fitting role for the 11-year veteran before the trade deadline. It’s a great opportunity to join a team that is contending for a title for the first time since his championship with the Warriors in 2022.