There’s no denying that the Oklahoma City Thunder have top-end talent, but are they experienced enough for a deep playoff run?
Entering Saturday, the 31-6 Thunder were just two games back of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the best record in the NBA. Oklahoma City is a bona fide contender with a top-three MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
OKC is built for the future, too, with a wealth of young players who haven’t hit their prime yet.
The biggest concern for the Thunder is whether that youth will prevent them from making a run to the NBA Finals, a situation that manifested last postseason when OKC fell in the second round to a more experienced Dallas Mavericks team.
If Thunder GM Sam Presti does feel that his team could benefit from a veteran star, Presti certainly has the personnel and draft assets to make a big move.
One exciting idea is to bring back Kevin Durant, who went to the Finals with OKC in 2012 and is currently stuck in a bad situation with the Phoenix Suns (who ostensibly have no chance of contending).
If the 36-year-old Durant cares about competing for another championship, surely he would welcome a return to the Thunder, who are positioned as favorites in the Western Conference.
But what would Presti have to offer in exchange for Durant to get the Suns remotely interested in such a massive blockbuster?
Take a look at this haul that Presti could present to the Suns, and decide for yourself if you think Phoenix would be wise not to accept.
The Trade
Thunder receive…
Suns receive…
- Isaiah Hartenstein
- Isaiah Joe
- Cason Wallace
- 2029 first round pick
- 2031 first round pick
It’s a massive package for an arguably post-prime KD. Hartenstein, Joe, and Wallace are all rotational players for OKC, and all three are 26-and-under (Wallace is just 21).
From the Thunder’s perspective, would this be way too much to give up? They’d be left with a playoff rotation of…
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Luguentz Dort
- Jalen Williams
- Kevin Durant
- Chet Holmgren
- Alex Caruso (6th man)
- Aaron Wiggins (bench)
- Jaylin Williams (bench)
That’s a pretty devastating top-six, and it might be worth sacrificing some future assets for.
Who do you think says no during negotiations for this theoretical deal?
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