Coming up on the start of the 2024-25 NBA season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are on the cusp of another memorable 82-game sprint. As the unquestioned superstar of the offseason, Oklahoma City is already positioned to enter the following campaign in arguably the best state of any team in the association. But with the summer clock ticking down, the possibility of another move cannot be completely ruled out.
OKC is one of several teams with one roster spot still vacant. While this isn’t particularly pressing, it still opens the door for a possible transaction.
Who can the Thunder sign?
Recently, Forbes’ Thunder insider Nick Crain penned a piece evaluating the ways OKC can address their final opening with a sweet last-minute addition. Although the heavy-hitters were signed off the open market shortly after the free agency portal opened at the start of July, potential difference-makers are still waiting to be signed. Among the names is former No. 9 overall pick Dennis Smith Jr., who last played for the Brooklyn Nets.
“Following a tremendous season with the Brooklyn Nets last season, Dennis Smith Jr. has proven he’s still capable of impacting winning at the NBA level,” Crain writes . “The former top-10 pick is almost 27 years old and has plenty of experience under his belt. Again, teams can never have too many reserves with the ability to facilitate and run a bench unit, which is exactly what he can do. Furthermore, Smith Jr. is a phenomenal point-of-attack defender who would only make the Thunder’s already great backcourt defense even better.”
Hearing his name called on the highly-anticipated draft night in 2017, Smith Jr.’s career hasn’t quite panned out like he hoped. And he sure didn’t live up to LeBron James’ contention that he should have been drafted to the New York Knicks over Frank Ntilikina, although he later became a Knick and didn’t have much to show for it.
As Crain points out, the high-flying guard is still young but experienced enough to make a solid addition to a team’s bench. While he isn’t the traditional table-setter and shooter that matches OKC’s ideal, he is still one of the better free agents.
Fultz is potentially an even better option
Another player on Crain's lists is former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz. While that name was once synonymous with the makings of one of the NBA’s popular draft busts, the Washington product endured a bit of a resurgence with the Orlando Magic.
“A former No. 1 overall pick, Markelle Fultz just recently turned 26 and is a free agent after five seasons with the Orlando Magic” continues Crain. “ Although OKC is already loaded in the backcourt, bringing in a veteran 6-foot-4 combo guard with facilitation upside and poise could be valuable. Fultz is not a great shooter from beyond the arc and would likely cost more than most free agents on the market from a financial standpoint, but could actually move the needle for the Thunder off the bench.”
As a non-threat from the perimeter, the 26-year-old is a crafty scorer, with passing arguably his best skill. He averaged 16.9 points and 6.9 assists per 36 minutes in the 2022 season. However, last season marked another steep drop in performance with just 43 games played. Even more than his lack of shooting, durability remains Fultz’ biggest concern. He has only appeared in 234 games in seven seasons, and if he doesn’t earn another NBA contract, we know the reason why.
The Thunder may or may not add a 15th and final player to the roster before the season starts or even at any point during the 82-game slate. But if they do, a backup guard is the most likely position to be addressed.
Related: Will OKC try an extensive lineup in 2024?
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