Jan. 31, 2026, 4:00 p.m. CT
Less than a week remains until the NBA trade deadline. On Feb. 5, we’ll find out how much teams changed up their rosters for the home stretch of the season. It’s the last chance for contenders to add more pieces and for rebuilding situations to add more draft capital.
Even though the Oklahoma City Thunder sit atop the NBA standings, a mediocre month-plus has cracked open the door to a possible move. Specifically, what the offense looks like when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is off the floor.
Maybe everything will get fixed when the Thunder are fully healthy. But that’s not a guarantee, considering the injuries they’ve juggled all season.
All that said, Thunder Wire will list out four candidates for the guard, forward and center positions that the Thunder could target. Let’s look at four centers:
1. Robert Williams III
Injuries have plagued Williams III’s career. That sadly continues to be the case this season with the Trail Blazers. He’s only played 33 games this season and is mostly outside of the rotation. He hasn’t eclipsed 40 games since the 2021-22 season. So yeah, this would be a risky addition. He’s averaged 5.9 points on 73.7% shooting, 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.
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But considering the Thunder aren’t in urgent need to add a center, Williams III could be worth the flyer. He’s on an expiring salary, so no commitment beyond this season. And the upside is too enticing to ignore. At this peak, he’d fit perfectly with OKC’s league-best defense. He can protect the rim as well as most players. It’s just about managing injuries.
2. Jock Landale
It’s been a career season for Landale. As the Grizzlies are buried with injuries, he’s taken advantage of the opportunity with career highs across the board. He’s averaged 11.6 points on 52% shooting, 6.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He’s shot 39% from 3 on 2.9 attempts. Before this season, he was a career journeyman who was barely in the NBA.
Considering Landale is on a cheap, one-year deal, there’s no long-term commitment here. He’ll help out more on offense than defense. Especially with his outside shooting. He’s also athletic enough to be a constant lob threat. It all depends on how Memphis views itself at the trade deadline. They could convince themselves either way.
3. Day’Ron Sharpe
If the Thunder want to go smaller and faster in their center room, Sharpe provides some upside. He’s averaged eight points on 60.7% shooting, 6.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He’s also had 1.1 steals. The Thunder are reportedly in the market for another center. He’d be a perfect low-risk addition. You know what you’ll get out of him.
The Nets continue to rack up losses. This season is all about bettering Brooklyn’s lottery odds. Sharpe likely isn’t part of their long-term plans. He’d be an awesome addition for any contender. The Thunder need another young and healthy body as they deal with frontcourt injuries. He’d help.
4. Kevon Looney
Feels like I’ve tried to get Looney to the Thunder for years now. It’s been a forgettable season with the Pelicans. He’s averaging a mundane 2.7 points on 42.6% shooting and 5.1 rebounds. He’s fizzled out of New Orleans’ rotation after their head coach change. Forget all that. If you’re the Thunder, you bank on him returning to form. What he’s done this season can be washed away.
Looney has been on title contenders his whole career. The three-time NBA champion knows what it takes to get back to that level. He understands the sacrifices it takes to win at the highest level. The Thunder would add a good locker room presence that’s willing to eat some miles in the regular season to ensure Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein are fresh for the playoffs.