NBA Mock Trade: Thunder Lands Star Cavaliers Guard

The Oklahoma City Thunder has more and more expectations as the offseason rolls on. Still, the result of this season, no matter which way it goes, could end up successful.

For the team, this season could act as a molding season, allowing the talents accumulated over the past few seasons to mesh together and figure out as a team what they have. Or there's an off chance they mesh right away and put together an incredible season and outperform expectations for the season.

If this is the case, the Thunder could, hypothetically, make a win-now move to bring in a star player to expedite the contending stage for the team.

NBA Analysis Network put together a mock trade for the Thunder to land Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell. Here's how the trade shakes out:

Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Davis Bertans, Luguentz Dort, 2024 First-Round Pick (Top 4 Protected – HOU via OKC), 2026 First-Round Pick (LAC via OKC), 2027 First-Round Pick (OKC)

Oklahoma City Thunder Receives: Donovan Mitchell

In this trade, the Thunder begins to part from its war chest of picks accumulated over the course of years of resourceful trades. This isn't the issue in the trade, though. Mitchell might not return to the Cavaliers in his upcoming free agency. He likely wants to be in New York with the Knicks.

So, there's a chance that this hypothetical trade would leave the Thunder without Mitchell after the offseason after having given up assets to trade for him. On top of this, there's not much of a fit there for Mitchell and the Thunder.

If there's one area where the Thunder should feel confident, it's guard and wing play. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey have the potential to grow into one of the top backcourt in the league, and they've got depth behind them on the bench.

A trade for Mitchell would prove shortsighted as it would hinder development and make the guard room crowded for the team.

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