Sam Presti Eyes Trade Deadline Fix for Thunder

Merlin sees the Thunder atop the NBA at 30-7, not desperate but open to deals before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. ESPN's Anthony Slater says sources "don't expect OKC to be very active at the deadline, considering the lack of rotation and future financial room to go along with a [30-7] record," while noting GM Sam Presti "can be known to strike in the dark." A 124-97 loss to Charlotte and a 4-4 run, plus injuries to Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams, have exposed frontcourt thinness. Merlin senses Presti will favor surgical fixes over splashy gambles. With limited cap room, Oklahoma City is likeliest to hunt short-term frontcourt insurance or a veteran on a team-friendly deal. If Hartenstein or Williams miss more time, urgency will spike and a move becomes likelier. The Thunder remain title contenders, but a tidy tweak could shift the balance.