The Oklahoma City Thunder are the favorite to come out of the West for the second straight season. They've been the first seed for most of the year and will repeat that feat. The rest of the West is bungled together in different tiers.

Trade rumors have been in nonstop motion over the most recent weeks involving the Oklahoma City Thunder. From Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets to Brandon Ingram

The Oklahoma City Thunder have added depth to their frontcourt in a massive trade with the New Orleans Pelicans.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans traded center Daniel Theis and a 2031 second-round draft pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday for cash. The 6-foot-8 Theis has appeared in 38 games with nine starts for New Orleans this season, averaging 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 16.3 minutes per game.

Oklahoma City will certainly be a team to keep an eye on when the trade deadline rolls around. The Thunder have as much ammo to make a move as anyone in the NBA

Considering all that, it shouldn't be a shocker to see the Thunder make minimal moves at the NBA trade deadline. Sam Presti made a handful of roster changes, but those were on the margins. OKC will ride out with the squad that's led it to its cushy first-place lead.

New Orleans Pelicans center Daniel Theis (10) looks for a move between Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) and Jakob Poeltl (19) during the first half of an NBA basketball game

The Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired Daniel Theis and draft compensation from the New Orleans Pelicans, per ESPN's Shams Charania. The draft compensation is a 2031 second-round pick, per Marc Stein.

This comes a day after the Thunder acquired Theis and a 2031 second-round pick from the New Orleans Pelicans for cash considerations. The cost-cutting move shaved enough payroll to put the Pelicans under the luxury tax.