Bleacher Report Mentions OKC Thunder as Potential Trade Partner in Nets Deal
In a story published on Sunday, Bleacher Report named five potential trades that could happen ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline.
One of these scenarios involved the Oklahoma City Thunder making a move for an established veteran in the Eastern Conference.
Despite reports that the Nets are not interested in trading away Mikal Bridges, Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley seems to think that Brooklyn's recent struggles may cause the team's front office to reevaluate.
Buckley also theorized that if the Nets are looking to move on from Bridges, it would be with the hopes of getting draft assets in return.
That's where Oklahoma City comes in.
"Who might make such a significant offer now? Any win-now team in control of its picks is a candidate, honestly," writes Buckley. "The Sacramento Kings, Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz all seem like obvious suitors, but there'd be more teams in the hunt."
With one of the NBA's largest stockpiles of draft picks, the Thunder could certainly make Brooklyn an intriguing offer if the Nets decide to make Bridges available.
So far this season, the 27-year-old is averaging 21.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 45.2% from the field and 35.4% from 3-point range.
After getting traded from Phoenix to Brooklyn in the Kevin Durant trade last season, Bridges averaged over 26 points per game for the Nets in the final 26 games of the regular season.
In addition to being a skilled offensive wing, Bridges is known for his defensive prowess, earning First-Team All-Defense accolades in 2021-22. Listed at 6-foot-6, the Villanova product has a 7-foot-1 wingspan that helps him guard players on the perimeter and in the paint.
With Bridges defensive versatility, he would theoretically fit well with Mark Daigneault and company, who seem to value the aforementioned traits.
While it doesn't appear that there is much smoke around the Nets trading Bridges, the Thunder seems like a prime trade candidate if Brooklyn does make the standout defender available.
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