Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 potential targets in 2019 NBA free agency

With the Oklahoma City Thunder in “win-now” mode, these five free agent veterans may be targets for the team’s front office in 2019.

For the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 2018-19 season ended in disappointing fashion with another first round loss in the playoffs.

With Paul George only officially under contract for two more seasons and Russell Westbrook on the wrong side of 30, the team has a limited number of chances left to make a run.

That’s what makes the 2019 offseason so important for the Thunder. With no cap space, the 21st pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (worth about $5.7 million), and a nearly $11 million Traded Player Exception, Oklahoma City’s front office will need to make decisions to help the team win next season.

Traditionally, general manager Sam Presti preaches longevity. He makes front office and roster decisions with a long-term mindset. Now he must shift that line of thinking.

OKC has a clearly defined window of opportunity for the next 2-4 years. After George and Westbrook finish out their current contracts and either retire or sign with another team, the Thunder will jump into a full-on rebuild.

With that in mind, Presti doesn’t have the luxury of building towards the future. The future is now. The summer of 2019 will be geared towards acquiring veteran players that complement Westbrook and George and can make an immediate impact through trading and free agency.

With limited flexibility and tools to chase free agents, the Thunder will have to target certain players — older veterans who can fill a specific role — with their Mid-Level Exception and the veteran’s minimum contract.

When looking at needs, role, fit, age and price, these five 2019 free agents make sense for Oklahoma City.