Big-Name Trades Don’t Make Sense for OKC Thunder, Now or Later
Oklahoma City has not-so-quietly amassed one of the best young cores in the entire NBA.
Essential-superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has now wowed on both the NBA and world stage. Passing savant Josh Giddey, who took a tremendous Year Two leap and can galvanize the roster with his playmaking. Jalen Williams, who many didn’t see coming, but has quickly emerged as one of the most versatile two-way young hybrids in the league. And finally Chet Holmgren, who has yet to set foot on the court, but effectively fills the holes left by the previous three with his 7-foot frame, defensive impact and feel for the game.
Naturally — and perhaps even correctly — some experts assume that OKC isn’t going to be able to keep their core four together per the newest Collective Bargaining Agreement. And with that comes endless mock trades highlighting the league’s top stars wearing blue and orange.
Giannis Antetokounmpo. Joel Embiid. Even Damian Lillard. The league’s newest crop of disgruntled stars ripe for the picking. All it takes is a few talented young up-and-comers and a bevy of draft picks.
But does trading for a superstar on the precipice of success really make sense? Now or even down the road? The answer is a resounding no.
Not only do the Thunder not know what they have yet — outside of Gilgeous-Alexander, who appears to have achieved singular success that few in basketball have — trading for a star could even cause a ripple effect far into the future.
All it takes is one person opting out of their contract to cause irreparable damage to the health of a franchise. Teams league-wide, and especially OKC, know that all too well. And that’s why they’re planning for longterm success in this go-round.
Amassing draft picks was never about trading for stars. Could that be a side effect? Sure. But at the end of the day, the picks are about one thing: flexibility. Having options at their disposal should things go south. And those options could include trading a package of them for a star, trading a few to fill out depth or even just drafting the players to help continue to field a competitive roster decades into the future.
So, for now, Thunder fans should sit back and watch their exciting young group compete. Knowing fully that the organization currently has the flexibility to improve the roster whenever that time comes.
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