NBA Oklahoma City Thunder

5 Players Oklahoma City Thunder Should Target Before 2015 NBA Trade Deadline

5 Players Oklahoma City Thunder Should Target

Minnesota Timberwolves
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The early-season losses of superstars Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant sunk the Oklahoma City Thunder to the basement of the Western Conference immediately. As a result, the All-Star duo were presented with the arduous task of climbing the conference ranks to snag the eighth seed in the über-competitve West. Unfortunately, this task has presented its challenges because of the roster's lack of depth. These five players might help fix that.

5. Kosta Koufos

Memphis Grizzlies
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5. Kosta Koufos

Memphis Grizzlies
Harry How-Getty Images

The Memphis Grizzlies have been hesitant to unload potent backup center Kosta Koufos due to obvious reasons. He’s easily a member of the elite bench centers in the league, but he is vastly underused. Therefore, trading him could be an option in the near future after acquiring Jeff Green from the Boston Celtics. Oklahoma City could certainly use a center since Kendrick Perkins’ production has plummeted.

4. Ed Davis

Los Angeles Lakers
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4. Ed Davis

Los Angeles Lakers
Rocky Widner-Getty Images

Ed Davis is one of the best stories of the NBA season when considering his salary and how underutilized he was in Memphis last season. The center is earning a measly million, while being the Los Angeles Lakers’ most productive frontcourt player all season. His excellent play will yield a salary far too expensive for Los Angeles, so they will probably look to deal him. Davis knows his role as a defensive enforcer and can be extremely valuable.

3. Wilson Chandler

Denver Nuggets
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3. Wilson Chandler

Denver Nuggets
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Indications are pointing towards the Denver Nuggets unloading the roster as the franchise has officially thrown in the towel on the season. Veteran swingman Wilson Chandler is perhaps the hottest commodity to contenders moving towards the trade deadline and Oklahoma City have been rumored to be interested all season. As the deadline approaches, Chandler’s price will likely decline, so don’t be surprised if they swoop in and snag him.

2. Brook Lopez

Brooklyn Nets
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2. Brook Lopez

Brooklyn Nets
Nathaniel S. Butler-Getty Images

After acquiring Dion Waiters from the Cleveland Cavaliers, a rumored deal surfaced that would send Brook Lopez to Oklahoma City in exchange for Kendrick Perkins’ expiring contract and Perry Jones. Whether the rumors have any truth or not, the deal actually makes sense. Acquiring an extremely gifted center like Lopez for basically nothing is always something to look into, especially since the Thunder nearly drafted Lopez over Westbrook years ago.

1. Nikola Pekovic

Minnesota Timberwolves
Jordan Johnson-Getty Images

1. Nikola Pekovic

Minnesota Timberwolves
Jordan Johnson-Getty Images

Similar to Lopez’s situation in Brooklyn, Nikola Pekovic is the odd man out on a youthful, rebuilding Minnesota Timberwolves. He is owed a substantial amount of money over the next four years, but could potentially provide a third option offensively behind Durant and Westbrook. Pekovic is a massive force who, when paired with an elite defender like Serge Ibaka, could be a deadly threat within the paint.

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