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NBA • 10 months ago

Top 5 FA Targets Who Will Get Oklahoma City Thunder Over The Hump

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Chris Humphreys-USA Today Sports

Top 5 FA Targets Who Will Get Oklahoma City Thunder Over The Hump

Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook — After a disappointing season filled with injuries, a revolving door of a roster and the departure of long-time head coach Scott Brooks, the Oklahoma City Thunder will look to the summer as a way to provide some stability and energy for next season in regards to the free agency pool. Here are five free agents who will help get the Thunder over the hump.

After a disappointing season filled with injuries, a revolving door of a roster and the departure of long-time head coach Scott Brooks, the Oklahoma City Thunder will look to the summer as a way to provide some stability and energy for next season in regards to the free agency pool. Here are five free agents who will help get the Thunder over the hump.

5. Wesley Matthews

5. Wesley Matthews

The Thunder’s need for a more efficient and aggressive shooting guard cannot be overstated. The acquisition of Dion Waiters did nothing to really boost the team's overall position, and looking for a quality shooting guard has to be a top priority. Wesley Matthews would be a perfect addition to the backcourt rotation based on his high overall shooting percentages and knack for defense (averaged over 1.4 steals per game this past season).

4. Danny Green

4. Danny Green

Stretching the floor has to continue being a priority for the Thunder, and one of the best shooting guards set to become a free agent will be on the market. That is Danny Green. Shooting over 43 percent from the field and beyond the arc, Green is an ideal offensive weapon on the floor, and has also grown into an above average defender. He picked up more than 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.

3. DeMarre Carroll

3. DeMarre Carroll

Depth behind Kevin Durant in the rotation is bleak at best, and DeMarre Carroll (one of the better small forwards in the league) is set to become a free agent this summer. Carroll cannot only guard multiple positions, but he is a combo forward with skills on both sides of the ball. Carroll averaged 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game this season, and is a major reason why the Atlanta Hawks are thriving this year.

2. Jae Crowder

2. Jae Crowder

If the Thunder want a lower-cost option at the backup small forward position, then Jae Crowder might be the ideal player. Crowder will definitely get a pay raise this summer, so the Thunder might have to pay a little more than they expected, but it would absolutely be worth it. Crowder averaged 9.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steal per game in his short amount of time with Boston this season.

1. Jimmy Butler

1. Jimmy Butler

As stated earlier, the Thunder are lacking depth at the shooting guard position, and Jimmy Butler (arguably the best shooting guard set to become a free agent) will be available. A backcourt of Russell Westbrook and Jimmy Butler would be devastating on both ends of the floor. Plus, Butler is only 25 years old. With all of the recent injuries to the Thunder’s star players, having a younger athlete to take on that role is absolutely necessary.

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Jared Doyle is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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