Fresh off their first-ever NBA championship, the Oklahoma City Thunder stand at the pinnacle of basketball excellence in 2025. Powered by their extraordinary “Big Three”, MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, this young core represents untouchable dynasty material, and they’ve already etched their names into NBA lore by steamrolling to a 68-win season and hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Yet even champions can’t rest on laurels alone. With three maxed-out superstars locked in for the long haul, OKC may still have the bandwidth to make savvy additions around them. With financial flexibility, draft capital, and the strategic vision of GM Sam Presti, the Thunder front office is considering surgical upgrades, not to replace their core, but to fortify it.
This offseason, one goal is clear: keep the championship nucleus intact, yet remain opportunistic when the right star, former MVP, or franchise legend becomes available. Below, we’ll spotlight three such players who fit that mold, teasing a superstar, a former league MVP, and a beloved legend, names you’ll meet soon in our full breakdown.
1. Jaylen Brown
Proposed Trade Details
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics Receive: Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, Kenrich Williams, Nikola Topic, 2028 first-round pick (DAL), 2029 first-round pick (DEN), 2031 first-round pick (OKC)
Imagine pairing Boston’s Finals MVP in 2024 and undisputed on-court beast with OKC’s young trio, and still retaining their identity, continuity, and elite defense. Jaylen Brown (22.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.5 APG in 2024-25) may carry a massive salary ($53,142,264, $57,078,728, $61,015,192, and $64,951,656 over four seasons), but that contract comes with Finals-winning pedigree, reliable championship playmaking, and a seamless fit next to Shai, Jalen, and Chet.
The whispers it’s even possible flash around the league: Boston has to be fielding calls and hard trade ideas (including from OKC), even if the franchise insists there’s no serious exploration underway. At playoff time, Brown’s ability to take over scoring without sacrificing defense would help ease the pressure on SGA and Jalen Williams in crunch moments.
He’s battle-tested, all-world in transition, and exactly the kind of two-way predator that Sam Presti, fresh off building this title team, values on both ends. And if OKC could find the right mix of young talent and draft capital to match salary, this trade instantly amplifies their offensive versatility and playoff-ready physical presence.
Of course, you’d need to give up meaningful rotation pieces, and Boston would demand young cost-controlled assets and picks. But playing in the modern NBA classically rewards elite wings who can score 20+ and lock up elite wings. For a championship squad that wants to sustain, injecting Brown’s veteran firepower around the untouchable trio could be the missing piece to a dynasty.
2. Joel Embiid
Proposed Trade Details
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Joel Embiid
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Isaiah Hartenstein, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, 2026 first-round pick (UTA), 2028 first-round pick (DAL), 2029 first-round pick (DEN), 2031 first-round pick (OKC)
The idea of bringing in Joel Embiid to anchor OKC’s defense is audacious, and for good reason. A former MVP, perennial All-NBA center, and one of the most dominant low-post scorers in league history (23.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 4.5 APG in 2024-25), Embiid would instantly transform Game 7 matchups anywhere on the floor, which is why we floated this trade idea before.
With Chet Holmgren already providing switchable defense and length, pairing him with Embiid’s physical rim protection and post presence would give the Thunder one of the most lethal two-center duos in the playoffs today. The price would be steep, veteran depth pieces and multiple first-rounders, but the upside can’t be ignored.
Move him in when healthy, and OKC gains a low-post juggernaut who commands help defense, opens driving lanes for the trio, and forces opponents into uncomfortable rotations. Think championship-level interior dominance paired with perimeter creativity, an ideal foil for teams stacking small-ball lineups in the NBA Finals series.
Still, Embiid must stay healthy, and his max salary eats into cap flexibility. The fit would hinge on blending him seamlessly alongside Holmgren and keeping key role guys effective. Sure, it’s a risk, but even if the big man doesn’t play, the Thunder still have their Big Three inactive.
3. Deni Avdija
Proposed Trade Details
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Deni Avdija
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Isiaha Joe, Ajay Mitchell, 2029 first-round pick (DEN), 2031 first-round pick (OKC)
Stepping into the spotlight as a lesser-known name, Deni Avdija quietly fits everything the Thunder stand for: positional versatility, smart passing, defensive instincts, and youthful upside. The Trail Blazers paid dearly to acquire him (a package including Malcolm Brogdon and multiple first-rounders), but whispers around trade-idea forums say Avdija exactly matches OKC’s DNA.
He brings high IQ, plays heavy minutes in transition, can guard multiple wings, and fits both 3 and small-ball 4 alongside Chet or Holmgren. The Swiss-army knife wing can come off the bench or slide into starting lineups without disrupting chemistry, and the forward brings his 16.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 3.9 APG to the table.
He’d stretch the floor from a 36.5% range, rebound, and initiate offense in five-out sets, exactly the sort of multifaceted role player champion teams covet. He doesn’t bring star wattage, but he brings stability and tactical versatility while the Big Three remain intact.
Plus, the cost: a young wing, a draft pick or two, not the sort of blockbuster that shakes a franchise to its core. Compare that to the risk/reward of missing on a free-agent fit or burning salary cap space. Avdija gives OKC more lineup flexibility, immediate depth, and something they’ve never had before: a rising complement to their trio who won’t demand franchise-altering assets to acquire.
4. Malcolm Brogdon
Free Agency
Malcolm Brogdon entering free agency could be a low-key coup for the Thunder, if they decide to dip into the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, OKC could pivot to sign or absorb his contract and get a polished, two-way guard without disturbing the core championship piece.
Brogdon, 32, is a former Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year who brings shooting, playmaking, and intelligence to the backcourt. He averaged 12.7 points, 4.1 assists, shot 43.3% from the field, and 88.0% from the line in his most recent season before a shortened stint in Washington.
With Jalen Williams as the lead secondary creator and Holmgren anchoring interior defense, Brogdon offers consistent mid-range stabilizer, spot-up shooting, and clutch poise. He won’t overshadow the trio, but he won’t demand much usage, letting OKC preserve spacing and tempo while providing backup ball-handling and veteran savvy.
5. Russell Westbrook
Free Agency
Russell Westbrook is currently an unrestricted free agent after declining his 2025-26 player option with Denver. At nearly age 37 (he turns 37 in November), his market has cooled, and he remains unsigned even weeks into free agency.
However, Oklahoma City has to be an ideal landing spot for a contract-minimum “one-day” or veteran minimum deal, given Westbrook’s iconic history in the Thunder franchise. The point guard is coming off a solid campaign last season, posting 13.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 6.1 APG.
This would clearly be symbolic: he’s no longer the explosive triple-double machine he once was. Yet as a locker room veteran and franchise legend, Westbrook might provide leadership, mentorship, and emotional gravitas to a team chasing dynasty status.
Think fewer minutes, more presence, perhaps a cameo in blowouts, occasional garbage-time minutes, and culminating in a final farewell with the team that gave him his breakthrough and brought OKC its most memorable era. The risk is minimal; OKC wins by simply welcoming home a foundational figure in franchise lore.
The league benefits from the narrative of closure and continuity. It doesn’t disrupt the on-court formula, and it would appease some of the fans who feel like one of the franchise’s all-time great players needs a proper send-off.
