NBA Trade Deadline 2018: 5 teams that should be buying at the deadline

4. Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti already went all-in on this year’s squad when he acquired Paul George and Carmelo Anthony during the offseason. With George and Anthony each able to depart as free agents this summer, there’s no sense in cutting costs now and not attempting to continue building around them.

Since their rocky 8-12 start, the triumvirate of George, Anthony and Russell Westbrook have begun to find their footing alongside one another, which should terrify the rest of the league. OKC was riding an eight-game winning streak heading into Tuesday, which included victories over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers, before the Wall-less Wizards handed it a 102-96 defeat.

The Thunder’s 121-108 win over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday proved particularly costly, as swingman Andre Roberson suffered a ruptured left patellar tendon that will end his season prematurely. While Roberson was a complete non-factor on offense, his smothering All-Defense skill set helped fortify the Thunder’s top-five defense.

With Roberson sidelined, Oklahoma City will lean more heavily upon the likes of rookie Terrence Ferguson, Josh Huestis and Alex Abrines, but they could decide to look for outside help as well. While they aren’t able to trade a first-round pick until 2022 at the earliest—thus likely taking them out of the running for someone like Lou Williams or Tyreke Evans—they could dangle a second-rounder for a veteran such as Belinelli or Temple to help fill the void Roberson’s injury created.

Next: 3. New Orleans Pelicans