Earlier this week Sam Presti acquired big man Joffrey Lauvergne from the Denver Nuggets for two second round draft picks. This puts the Thunder with sixteen players under contract for the upcoming season. So obviously someone will need to be moved before opening night.
This gives the Thunder seven bigs, one too many. Steven Adams, Enes Kanter, Lauvernge, Ersan Ilysova, Domantus Sabonis, Nick Collison, and Mitch McGary. I’d rank Lauvergne third in this group currently—so there is a place for him as far as minutes. You’d think Mitch McGary would be the player to be on the move given some of his problems off the court and the fact he’s a defensive liability. OKC gives up two second round picks, but still has its 2017 first round pick intact. Here’s some of Lauvergne’s 2016 highlights. He actually has some skills which would help the Thunder off the bench.