The Oklahoma City Thunder are still reeling from news that Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace may be out for the season, but all hope may not be lost.
Losing both Williams and Wallace in the same game is no doubt gut-wrenching. The hope was they would be healthy enough this season to challenge the San Antonio Spurs for supremacy in the West.
However, with those two players now out for potentially the season, they suddenly find themself short-handed. The Thunder still have plenty of depth, but they are not deep enough to fully offset the loss of two starters.
Fortunately, the Thunder just received a $14 million injured player exception, which could help them add a key player.
Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace injuries may spark bold OKC shakeup
Losing Williams, who is their second-best player, caused the Thunder to struggle mightily during the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs. As a result, OKC would probably jump at the chance to add a player to help offset his unfortunate injury absence.
With Wallace also out, potentially for the season, they suddenly find themselves short on perimeter defenders and should target one in the trade market. The ideal trade target would be New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones, who is making just $12.9 million.
He would easily fit into the Thunder's $14 million injured player exception that they can use to either sign or trade for a player.
The Thunder can't afford to get stingy with their draft assets
The Thunder still have a considerable draft pick war chest and shouldn't hesitate to use it to land stopgap options to help them contend this season. While they are still young, they can't afford to take a major step back due to injuries.
They could still compete with the likes of the Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves this season and in the playoffs, provided they are proactive about seeking short-term replacements for Williams and Wallace. If any team can do it, it's the Thunder who have managed to hoard picks and find hidden gems.
They still face a tall task of replacing their second-best player as well as their best perimeter defender, but the injured player exception grants them a chance to find a stopgap option in hopes of contending this season.
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