Enes Kanter, NBA Trade News
Mar 11, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder centre Enes Kanter (11) drives to the basket in front of Utah Jazz center Jeff Withey (24) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. USA TODAY Sports / Mark D. Smith

The Oklahoma City Thunder will try to move big man Enes Kanter during the offseason besides making Victor Oladipo and Steven Adams available for the right price, according to a senior NBA insider. The Thunder crashed out of the 2017 NBA Playoffs Tuesday after the Houston Rockets completed a 4-1 first-round series victory.

After signing Russell Westbrook, Adams and Oladipo to long-term extensions, the Thunder have approximately US$110 million (AU$147 million) committed in salaries for the 2017-18 season. Since they are already capped out against the projected NBA salary cap of US$103 million (AU$137 million), the Thunder front office led by general manager Sam Presti won't be able to pursue marquee free agents this offseason. Last year, there were rumblings about a possible Blake Griffin homecoming. However, those rumours died down quickly after Thunder made long-term commitments to Adams and Oladipo.

According to ESPN insider Kevin Pelton, the Thunder will have to explore some trades this offseason to surround Westbrook with shooters. "Shedding Kanter's US$17.9 million (AU$23.9 million) salary would give the Thunder a lot more options financially. Given Kanter is unplayable in certain playoff matchups, if I could move him without giving up any picks in the deal, I'd explore that. It's possible Kanter could be more valuable on a team that is just trying to get to the playoffs rather than worried about winning there," Pelton wrote in an ESPN insider piece published Tuesday.

NBA Trade News: Could OKC test the market for Adams, Oladipo?

Jeremias Engelmann suggested that the Thunder could possibly test the market for Adams and Oladipo. "For next season, OKC has about US$61 million (AU$81 million) per season tied up in Victor Oladipo, Steven Adams and Enes Kanter, limiting its roster flexibility. But because those players are a bit overpaid, they would be more difficult to trade. Still, I'd make all three players available." The Thunder could potentially pursue Blake Griffin and others in NBA Free Agency 2017 if they are able to off load some of the contracts.

Besides Adams, Kanter, Westbrook and Oladipo, the likes of Alex Abrines, Josh Huestis, Doug McDermott, Domantas Sabonis and Kyle Singler have guaranteed contracts for next season. The Thunder have a Team Option on Jerami Grant and will have to take a call on free agents Norris Cole, Nick Collison and Taj Gibson. Andre Roberson is a Restricted Free Agent who could receive lucrative offer sheets from elsewhere. There's a likelihood that Thunder match offer sheets for Roberson since it won't count against the salary cap.

Tom Haberstroh reckons the Thunder should try to acquire Jared Dudley from the Phoenix Suns. "Jared Dudley seems like such a perfect fit that I'm surprised he hasn't been in OKC yet. Tyson Chandler and Dudley for Kanter and a batch of youth makes a lot of sense for both sides. If they're looking for the next Nick Collison, it's media mogul Jared Dudley, a career 40 percent shooter from deep."

Russell Westbrook has a US$30 million Player Option ahead of the 2018-19 season. Unless the Thunder make a deep postseason run next year, there's a possibility of Westbrook opting out of his contract and joining a championship contender. That's why the Thunder front office is under pressure to surround the perennial MVP candidate with a team that can compete with the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets. Stay tuned for the latest NBA Trade News and updates surrounding NBA Free Agency 2017.