NBA Insider Reveals The OKC Thunder's Biggest Need At The Trade Deadline

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been the best-run organization in the NBA for years now, and after an NBA Championship in 2025, this is a team that's set up for long-term success. While this team is one of the deepest in the NBA, ahead of the trade deadline, they're once again looking to make some major upgrades.

Unlike other contenders, the Thunder have an immense level of draft capital moving forward, meaning that they could be in on some of the biggest names available. According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the team is looking specifically to upgrade at the center position, and if they could land a consistent offensive force to pair with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it could be a massive upgrade.

As of right now, the team has little depth beyond Isaiah Hartenstein, and after dropping three of their past four games, the organization could be looking for some changes. Whether that's Nikola Vucevic, Nicolas Claxton, Anthony Davis, or another big name available at the center position, if they make the right move, this could go a long way toward making this team the favorites in the brutal Western Conference once again in 2026.

Ultimately, this is a team that's likely to contend anyway, given the immense talent they've got all over this roster, but if they can find a legitimate backup to Hartenstein or even a starter to push him to the bench, this is a team that could do some major damage once again in 2026.