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Oklahoma City Thunder: 4 Potential Sharpshooter Trade Targets

By Max Seng

Jan 15, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) with his arm around forward Andre Roberson (21) as a time out is called against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Sacramento Kings 122-118. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) with his arm around forward Andre Roberson (21) as a time out is called against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Sacramento Kings 122-118. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 15, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) with his arm around forward Andre Roberson (21) as a time out is called against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Sacramento Kings 122-118. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) with his arm around forward Andre Roberson (21) as a time out is called against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Sacramento Kings 122-118. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

The Oklahoma City Thunder are built on a foundation of athleticism and explosiveness. Who could be available to provide the perimeter shooting they so desperately need?

During his tenure, Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti has stayed consistent in that he’s preferred bouncy players with impressive wingspans over spot-up shooters who work best off the ball.

This trend dates back to acquiring the draft rights of Jeff Green in the blockbuster trade that in which the Seattle SuperSonics sent Ray Allen to Boston and continues all the way to this summer by trading for Victor Oladipo and acquiring Jerami Grant a week into this season.

However, the scales can only be tipped so far in style before a team becomes one-dimensional. It seems that the Thunder have arrived at that point, especially with rim murderer Russell Westbrook desperate for driving lanes to commit more basketball homicides.

The Thunder rank next to last in 3-point percentage this season, with no players better than 38 percent from 3. Andre Roberson, a stout defender and stellar find by Presti that was a 2013 draft night acquisition, is shooting 25 percent from 3 while playing 30 minutes per game.

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Teams are sinking into the paint on him, and it’s mucking up whatever spacing Oklahoma City is able to generate with him on the floor.

Oladipo is shooting 37 percent from 3 this season, a career high for him. Anthony Morrow, a career 41 percent 3-point shooter, is shooting 29 percent this year, taking away the one NBA-level skill he has.

Thirsty for any floor spacing, the Thunder have converted rookie Domantas Sabonis into a stretch 4, and he’s performed relatively well.

With a wing who commands attention from the defense while not compromising the Thunder’s scheme, Oklahoma City could vault into that second tier of West contenders alongside the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers. Who could be available, and at what price?

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