Trade targets: Who can help Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook?

ByKEVIN PELTON
February 18, 2016, 2:11 AM

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Oklahoma City Thunder

Record: 38-13
3rd in West

Status: Buyers

With the NBA's third-best point differential and the impending free agency of Kevin Durant, there's no question the Thunder are positioned to buy rather than sell.

Still, GM Sam Presti has emphasized a patient approach to building Oklahoma City's roster and is unlikely to sacrifice the future in desperation to win now.

Potential trade targets

Courtney Lee

The Thunder's biggest need is a 3-and-D wing to complement Durant and Russell Westbrook and,  as I explained earlier this month, Lee is the best player of the ilk likely to be available before the trade deadline. ESPN's Marc Stein reported Friday that the Memphis Grizzlies are "taking the temperature" on the market for Lee.

Gerald Henderson

Henderson doesn't fit Oklahoma City's needs as ideally because the "3" part of his 3-and-D credentials is lacking; he's a 31.7 percent career shooter from beyond the arc. Still, Henderson's midrange game makes him a better offensive threat than Andre Roberson and he's a defensive upgrade over Anthony Morrow.

P.J. Tucker

Another 3-and-D option, Tucker makes less sense for the Thunder than other wing-needy teams because Durant can guard the bigger opponents Tucker specializes in defending.

Most trade value

1. Russell Westbrook
In a world without Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, Westbrook might be the favorite for MVP. He's making just $16.7 million this season and $17.8 million next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent, making him a phenomenal bargain.

2. Kevin Durant
Durant has returned from a season lost to foot surgeries as good as ever. His hypothetical trade value -- he's not going anywhere -- is limited only by the fact that he can become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

3. Serge Ibaka
Ibaka's extension has aged well as he's developed into a 3-point threat and the cap has increased. He makes just $12.35 million this season and next before getting his own chance to test unrestricted free agency.

4. Steven Adams
Presti has been comfortable including Adams as part of the team's core. Not yet 23, he's an established starting center who might eventually be capable of playing a larger role on offense. Adams has one year left on his rookie contract and will be eligible for a long-term extension next fall.

5. Cameron Payne
The early returns on last June's 14th overall pick have been positive. Payne is shooting an impressive 41 percent beyond the arc and has flashed the playmaking ability out of the pick-and-roll that made him a star at Murray State. With three cheap years left on his rookie contract, Payne might even have more value than Adams to a team in need of a young point guard.

6. Andre Roberson
Roberson's offensive limitations are well known. A power forward much of his college career, he's yet to force opponents to respect him beyond the arc, having made 25.0 percent of his career 3s. Still, Roberson has emerged as one of the league's better wing defenders and he'll make just $2.2 million next season, the last on his rookie contract.

7. Mitch McGary
As a rookie in 2014-15, McGary posted a solid 16.6 PER in limited minutes. The arrival of Enes Kanter pushed McGary out of the rotation, and he's seen just 55 minutes of action all season. If he's included in a trade, McGary could blossom elsewhere.

Most valuable draft pick

2020 first-round pick
Oklahoma City dealt a pair of first-round picks during the 2014-15 season in trades to acquire Kanter and Dion Waiters. Because the Thunder held on to last year's pick after missing the playoffs, they'll almost certainly send the first of those two to the Philadelphia 76ers (via Denver and Cleveland) this season.

That means 2018 is the first year they can potentially send the second pick to the Utah Jazz, though it will be top-14 protected.

The next first-round pick Oklahoma City can trade will be two years after the pick goes to the Jazz, meaning 2020 at the earliest.

Most difficult contract to trade

Kyle Singler
The Thunder handed Singler the longest possible contract last summer (five years, $24-plus million, albeit with the final season non-guaranteed) only to see him start the season in a dreadful shooting slump. Since going 7-of-32 (21.9 percent) from 3-point range before New Year's Day, Singler is shooting a more typical 47.4 percent in January. So there's still hope his contract won't become burdensome as Singler approaches his 30s.