Over the past month, the Oklahoma City Thunder have come back down to earth a bit. After a scorching 24-1 start that had them looking nearly untouchable, they’ve gone 14-10-a good record, sure, but not quite the juggernaut pace they opened with. And now, with the trade deadline less than a week away, there's a growing sense that the Thunder might not be done building.
Injuries have certainly played a role in the recent dip. Jalen Williams has been in and out of the lineup with a wrist issue and a hamstring strain.
Isaiah Hartenstein, who was expected to be a key piece in the frontcourt, has missed significant time due to a lingering soleus strain. When you're missing two rotation players-especially ones who impact both ends of the floor-it’s going to show.
But this isn’t just about health. Oklahoma City's defense, which has been among the league’s best when locked in, has shown some cracks lately.
And offensively, they’ve struggled to find rhythm when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t orchestrating. That’s not a knock on the supporting cast-Chet Holmgren has been excellent, and the roster is full of versatile, high-IQ players-but it does highlight how reliant they are on their All-NBA guard to steady the ship.
They’ve dropped three of their last four, and while that’s not cause for panic, it’s enough to open the door for some roster introspection. And with the trade deadline looming on Thursday, February 5, the timing couldn’t be more critical.
Contenders are scanning the market for plug-and-play contributors, while rebuilding teams are looking to stockpile picks and prospects. It’s the perfect storm for movement.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on The Hoop Collective podcast, the Thunder are a team to watch. He mentioned that Oklahoma City has been involved in some trade chatter, specifically around the idea of adding a backup center. That’s notable, given that most of the noise around OKC’s potential upgrades has centered on perimeter shooting and secondary ball-handling.
Windhorst raised an eyebrow at the idea too, saying, “Wait a minute - this team had 66 wins or whatever they had last year, champions, when they've been healthy, they've been unstoppable. Why would the Oklahoma City Thunder's name be out there?”
It’s a fair question. The Thunder have built their identity around youth, versatility, and internal development.
But this season, with a legitimate chance to contend, they might be looking to shore up specific areas that could make the difference in a seven-game series. Hartenstein’s absence has stretched their frontcourt depth, and while Holmgren has been impressive, he’s still a rookie navigating the grind of an NBA season.
A veteran big could help stabilize things when the postseason intensity ramps up.
Still, a move for a center would be a bit of a curveball. The more commonly discussed gaps in this Thunder team are shooting consistency and secondary creation-areas that could use a boost if they want to go toe-to-toe with the West’s elite in May and June.
With just days to go before the deadline, this is the stretch when the rumor mill hits overdrive. Whether the Thunder stand pat or make a move, one thing’s clear: they’re no longer flying under the radar. The league is watching.