The Oklahoma City Thunder are sitting in rare air right now. With a league-best 40-11 record and the reigning MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge-at least until his recent injury-they’ve looked every bit like a team with championship DNA. And yet, as we approach the 2026 NBA trade deadline, OKC is doing what they’ve done best under Sam Presti: making smart, calculated moves instead of swinging wildly at the buzzer.
Let’s break down what’s actually gone down so far-and what it says about where this team is headed.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Miss Time, But No Panic in OKC
First, the big news: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be sidelined through the All-Star break after suffering an abdominal strain in Tuesday night’s win over Orlando. That’s a tough blow for a team that’s relied heavily on his elite playmaking and scoring this season. He was set to start in the All-Star Game on February 15 in Inglewood, but now he’ll be watching from the sidelines.
Still, there’s no sense of panic from the Thunder. This isn’t a team scrambling to replace its star. Instead, they’re trusting their depth, development, and long-term vision-something that’s become a hallmark of Presti’s front office.
Thunder Acquire Jared McCain from 76ers
In one of their more notable moves, OKC acquired rookie guard Jared McCain from the Philadelphia 76ers. To get him, the Thunder sent Houston’s 2026 first-round pick along with three second-rounders to Philly.
McCain is a promising young guard with a polished offensive game and a strong basketball IQ. He fits the Thunder’s mold: young, skilled, and still developing.
He won’t be asked to carry the load right away, but he brings another layer of depth to a backcourt that already features Josh Giddey and Cason Wallace. With SGA out for a stretch, McCain could get a chance to show what he can do in spot minutes.
Ousmane Dieng Moved in Multi-Team Deal
OKC also moved on from forward Ousmane Dieng, sending him-and a 2029 second-round pick-to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for veteran big man Mason Plumlee. Charlotte then flipped Dieng, Collin Sexton, and three second-round picks to the Chicago Bulls for Coby White and Mike Conley.
For OKC, this move is less about Plumlee’s impact on the court and more about roster flexibility and playoff readiness. Plumlee is a proven veteran who can give the Thunder some much-needed size and experience off the bench. He’s not going to change the ceiling of this team, but he raises the floor-especially in a postseason setting where every possession matters.
Draft Rights to Balsa Koprivica Acquired
In a quieter move, the Thunder acquired the draft rights to 7-foot-1 Serbian center Balsa Koprivica from the Utah Jazz in exchange for cash considerations. Koprivica, currently playing in Turkey, is averaging 5.4 points and 3.5 rebounds in limited minutes. There’s no immediate plan for him to join the Thunder, and with OKC still needing to clear a roster spot to finalize the McCain deal, this is a classic Presti stash-and-develop move.
It’s the kind of long-view thinking that’s helped OKC build one of the league’s deepest and most flexible rosters.
What It All Means
These aren’t headline-grabbing trades, but they’re the kind of moves that keep a contender humming. The Thunder didn’t mortgage the future or make a desperate play to replace their injured MVP. Instead, they added a promising young guard, brought in a steady veteran big, and picked up another international prospect for the pipeline.
It’s a reminder that OKC isn’t just trying to win now-they’re building something sustainable. Even with SGA temporarily out, the Thunder aren’t blinking. They’re trusting their system, their depth, and their culture.
And if the first 51 games are any indication, that trust is well-placed.