Relying on who you ask, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder are in yr two or three of their rebuild, however that doesn’t matter. What issues is that the early returns on the Thunder’s funding within the draft is paying off prior to anticipated, though two of their prime picks within the 2022 NBA Draft haven’t performed a lot or in any respect.
Based on Basketball Reference, the Thunder’s preseason odds had been set at simply 23.5 wins, highlighting precisely how Las Vegas books and followers across the league thought in regards to the staff’s trajectory. However simply 43 video games into the season, Oklahoma Metropolis has gained 20 video games and at the moment holds the 14th-best internet ranking.
Not solely are the Thunder defying expectations, they’re crushing them. Particularly as of late. They’ve gained 9 of their final 14 video games and are producing the sixth-best defensive ranking and offensive ranking, fourth-best help share, seventh-lowest turnover share, all whereas recording the seventh-best tempo. Per recreation, the Thunder have additionally transformed on 39% of their 33.9 3-point makes an attempt, good for fourth within the NBA.
Whereas the staff has began to play extraordinarily effectively, a few of their gamers haven’t carried out fairly the best way many followers have hoped. And on a staff chocked filled with expertise that has 12 gamers locked up by means of the 2024-25 season, a possible extension for Aleksej Pokusevski coming quickly, and a attainable seven draft picks throughout the following two years, the maths signifies {that a} consolidation commerce is nearly inevitable and can most likely occur quickly.
How quickly?
Nicely, the Thunder would not have to make a commerce in any respect this yr, however it could be of their finest curiosity to take action. They may simply sit tight till the top of the yr, however they’ve a number of selections to make earlier than the Feb. 9 commerce deadline.
A type of selections will probably be on Darius Bazley’s future in Oklahoma Metropolis. The fourth-year ahead will probably be coming into restricted free company this coming summer time however has underwhelmed offensively, producing 13.1 factors per 36 minutes and a 51.1 true taking pictures share. Whereas his uncoordinated drives and poor decision-making hang-out him, his prowess on the defensive aspect of the ball would possibly entice some groups to half with a second-round choose if the entrance workplace desires to half methods with Bazley.
And whereas Mike Muscala’s means to stretch the ground has helped open up the Thunder’s offense at instances, the ninth-year veteran doesn’t actually match the franchise’s timeline. Oklahoma Metropolis will maintain the best to pay the soon-to-be 32 yr outdated 3.5 million subsequent yr or let him stroll. However maybe a contender would possibly discover worth within the cheap ground spacer and his built-in staff choice for subsequent yr.
Lu Dort might be the following large piece that Basic Supervisor Sam Presti may need to deal away. After signing him to a five-year, 82.5 million greenback contract, Dort is scoring simply 13.9 factors per recreation whereas changing simply 40.3% of his photographs from the sphere, 33.6% from behind the 3-point line, and has the fourth-lowest assist-to-usage ratio on the staff.
It additionally doesn’t assist that the Thunder’s current lottery choose in Jalen Williams has outplayed Dort this yr. And with restricted minutes on the guard and wing positions, however an abundance of expertise in guys like Tre Mann, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, and Ousmane Dieng, and whoever they may choose within the 2023 NBA Draft, it would behoove Oklahoma Metropolis’s entrance workplace to maneuver on from Dort and open up taking part in time to maximise the event of others.
So, may Dort be traded earlier than this season?
It’s attainable. As a result of signing his new cope with the Thunder, the franchise was briefly restricted from buying and selling him, however that expired on Saturday night time. The Thunder at the moment are free to maneuver him as they please, however maybe higher offers may be discovered this offseason, or doubtlessly on the night time of the draft and past.
Ought to Oklahoma Metropolis look to the commerce market this season, there are a number of names that might be made obtainable on the commerce market and would make sense for the Thunder.
Golden State Warriors’ former third general choose James Wiseman is one in all them. The Warriors at the moment boast a luxurious tax invoice north of 40 million, one they may need to trim, and the 7-footer has spent extra time within the G League than with the staff that drafted him this season. If the Thunder can get their fingers on Wiseman, he would symbolize a minimal-risk, high-upside gamble that would vastly enhance their front-court.
Different names that might be obtainable for the best value that the Thunder may take into account are Saddiq Bey, John Collins, and PJ Washington.
One other factor to bear in mind is that the Thunder are projected to have between 30 and 40 million {dollars} in cap house subsequent yr, relying on what occurs in offseason. Throughout Presti’s end-of-season media availability in 2022, the final supervisor remarked, “We all know 23 is the place lots of issues come off the books and we’ll have extra flexibility and we’d dabble in that a little bit bit extra on the level.”
Might the free agent market be a spot so as to add expertise prior to later?
If the Thunder do plan on “dabbling” within the free agent market this summer time, it’s doubtless that they may goal gamers that can, age-wise, match alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and the second youngest roster in NBA historical past. A couple of names which may match that invoice are Jaxson Hayes, Naz Reid, Cam Reddish, and Myles Turner.
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