Fresh off their first championship in franchise history, the Oklahoma City Thunder enter the 2025-26 season as the hunted, not the hunters. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander cementing his legacy by capturing both the regular-season MVP and the Finals MVP, Jalen Williams blossoming into a true star, and Chet Holmgren looking every bit like an All-Star in the making, OKC has built the league’s most balanced core.
But standing still in today’s Western Conference is a recipe for getting passed. The Denver Nuggets are healthy and reloaded, the Houston Rockets are surging with star power, and the Clippers and Lakers have doubled down on veteran firepower. Even the Timberwolves are knocking on the door, waiting for their moment.
The Thunder may have claimed the crown, but they know dynasties are built by staying aggressive, not resting on their laurels. Luckily for them, OKC has the flexibility to add another major piece to its championship foundation. Here are five trade ideas, ranging from an All-Star big to a budding star to a defensive wing, that could help the Thunder maintain their edge as they chase back-to-back titles.
1. A Blockbuster Deal For Domantas Sabonis
Proposed Trade Details
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Domantas Sabonis
Sacramento Kings Receive: Isaiah Hartenstein, Cason Wallace, Nikola Topic, 2028 first-round pick (DAL), 2029 first-round pick (DEN), 2031 first-round pick (OKC)
The Thunder have the draft capital and young talent to make a splash, and Domantas Sabonis (19.1 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 6.0 APG) would represent the ultimate win-now move. Slotting him next to Chet Holmgren would create one of the league’s most versatile and skilled frontcourts.
Holmgren’s elite rim protection would cover Sabonis’ defensive shortcomings, while Sabonis’ interior scoring, passing, and rebounding would take pressure off Holmgren to carry the load down low. Add in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s brilliance and Jalen Williams’ two-way skills, and Oklahoma City would have a monster Big Four.
For the Kings, this package offers a chance to reset while still staying competitive. Isaiah Hartenstein provides defensive toughness and rebounding, Cason Wallace (8.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG) gives Sacramento a long-term defensive guard, and Nikola Topic (6’6″) remains a high-upside playmaker at only 20 years old.
Add in multiple future first-round picks, and Sacramento has the flexibility to retool around a younger, cheaper core. If they believe they’ve hit their ceiling with Sabonis, this is a way to maximize his value.
Sabonis isn’t the most seamless fit in their switch-heavy defensive scheme, and paying him long-term alongside Holmgren could lock them into a costly frontcourt. Still, the Thunder have more assets than any contender and can afford to overpay slightly if it means securing an All-Star center in his prime. This move signals a dynasty-level commitment to winning now.
2. Taking A Chance At Trey Murphy III
Proposed Trade Details
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Trey Murphy III
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Nikola Topic, 2029 first-round pick (DEN), 2031 first-round pick (OKC)
Trey Murphy III (21.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.5 APG) fits the Thunder’s roster construction like a glove. At 6’9” with elite shooting range, explosive athleticism, and strong defensive instincts, he’s exactly the type of modern forward who thrives in playoff basketball. His ability to space the floor for SGA drives, while also guarding multiple positions, makes him a perfect fit in the starting lineup to challenge Luguentz Dort.
For the Pelicans, the trade is about balancing depth and assets. They receive Isaiah Joe, one of the league’s most efficient shooters (10.2 PPG, 41.2% 3-PT FG), plus Aaron Wiggins’ two-way versatility (12.0 PPG, 3.9 RPG). Nikola Topic adds backcourt depth with long-term upside, while the first-round picks allow New Orleans to build flexibility as they continue reshaping their roster around Zion Williamson and Herb Jones.
This trade would be less flashy than a blockbuster like Sabonis, but in some ways, it may be even more valuable for Oklahoma City. Murphy is young, still developing, and doesn’t require the ball to thrive. Adding him keeps the Thunder’s defensive identity intact while further opening the floor for SGA and Jalen Williams to attack, making this a championship-level move.
3. Acquiring Another Defensive Wing
Proposed Trade Details
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Dillon Brooks
Phoenix Suns Receive: Isaiah Joe, Kenrich Williams, 2026 Oklahoma City Thunder first-round pick, 2026 Philadelphia 76ers second-round pick
Dillon Brooks (14.0 PPG, 39.7% 3-PT FG) is one of the most polarizing players in the NBA, but for a team like Oklahoma City, his defensive edge could be exactly what they need in certain matchups. As he showed last season, Brooks brings toughness, physicality, and a willingness to take on the league’s toughest assignments.
In a potential playoff series against stars like Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, or Kevin Durant, having Brooks on the roster would give OKC another elite perimeter option alongside Lu Dort. The Suns, meanwhile, get a clean return for Brooks, who may not be a long-term fit next to Devin Booker and Jalen Green.
Isaiah Joe provides floor spacing, Kenrich Williams adds glue-guy versatility (6.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG), and extra draft picks give Phoenix some roster flexibility. It’s a chance for the Suns to add complementary depth without sacrificing star talent.
For the Thunder, Brooks would likely come off the bench in a defined role, avoiding some of the offensive concerns that plagued him in Memphis and Houston. With SGA and Williams carrying the shot-creation burden, Brooks can focus on defense, energy, and hitting open threes.
4. Unexpected Move For Deni Avdija
Proposed Trade Details
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Deni Avdija
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Isaiah Joe, Ajay Mitchell, 2029 first-round pick (DEN), 2031 first-round pick (OKC)
At 6’9″, Deni Avdija is an intriguing target for the Thunder, offering size, defensive versatility, and playmaking from the forward spot. Still just 24 years old, Avdija has steadily grown into one of the NBA’s most underrated two-way wings (16.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.9 APG). His ability to defend multiple positions, rebound, and facilitate in transition makes him a valuable connector piece for a team with multiple stars.
Portland, meanwhile, gains a mix of present contributors and long-term value. Isaiah Joe provides shooting depth around Scoot Henderson (and Damian Lillard when he returns), while Ajay Mitchell (23 years old) is a young guard who fits their developmental timeline. The future draft picks are the centerpiece, giving Portland more chances to build through the draft as they embrace a full youth movement.
For OKC, this deal is more about adding layers than chasing star power. Avdija won’t dominate the ball, but his playmaking and defensive instincts would mesh seamlessly with the Thunder’s unselfish style against bigger, more physical teams.
5. Clever Move For Malik Monk
Proposed Trade Details
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Malik Monk
Sacramento Kings Receive: Aaron Wiggins, Jaylin Williams, 2031 first-round pick (OKC)
If there’s one area where the Thunder could still improve, it’s bench scoring. Malik Monk (17.2 PPG, 5.6 APG) would solve that instantly, bringing instant offense, shot-creation, and fearlessness in clutch moments.
Monk has proven himself as one of the league’s premier sixth men, capable of swinging playoff games with his shooting streaks. Adding him to OKC’s second unit would take pressure off SGA and Williams to carry the scoring load every night.
The Kings benefit by getting value back without losing their key scorer in the backcourt besides Zach LaVine. Aaron Wiggins offers wing defense and energy, Jaylin Williams (5.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG) provides a young big with upside, and a future first-round pick sweetens the deal.
This trade gives the Thunder exactly what they lacked in stretches of their championship run: a microwave scorer who can punish defenses when the stars rest. Monk doesn’t need to play 30 minutes a night, but in the right matchup, he could win them a playoff game or two.
