Following potential season-ending injuries to Cason Wallace and Jalen Williams, the Oklahoma City Thunder should be aggressive in the trade market, with one trade candidate standing out. New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones may be available, and they seem willing to hear offers after a poor start to the season.
He'd give the Thunder a cheap stopgap wing defender, who would fit into the $14 million injured player exception OKC received. Jones is a limited offensive player but was previously named to the All-Defensive Second Team.
He may not cost the Thunder more than a first-round pick or several second-rounders, with his value having dropped slightly. Of course, OKC has plenty of draft assets, so they can more than afford to pay whatever it takes to trade for him, and they should make that move happen as soon as possible.
Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace's injuries may push OKC to make a trade
If Jones is available, then the Thunder should trade for him, with them suddenly short on wing defenders. They still have Alex Caruso, but he primarily defends guards.
With Williams and Wallace both out for the season and OKC previously having traded Lu Dort, they can't afford a chance to add a talented wing defender. Instead of having Williams, Wallace, and Dort, the Thunder will now have to rely more on their guards, including Caruso, Ajay Mitchell, and Jared McCain.
Caruso is a terrific two-way guard, but Mitchell and McCain are both offensive-oriented players. They could help improve the Thunder's offensive ceiling, but they could be easily exploited defensively, especially in the playoffs.
The Thunder can't afford to pass on making a big trade
As a result, the Thunder must pull the trigger on a trade to bring in a wing defender, and Jones fits the bill. The Thunder already have the most assets in the NBA. Therefore, trading a late first or two seconds to solve the defensive hole left by Williams and Wallace seems like a more than fair trade-off.
OKC doesn't necessarily have to make a trade tomorrow, but they should be closely watching the Pelicans in case Jones becomes available. In the meantime, they will have to rely more on superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren.
They should have more than enough to stay afloat in a stacked Western Conference. However, their ceiling is capped if they aren't able to find a stopgap option to replace both Williams and Wallace.
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