Why the Thunder Should Do It

There has been so much speculation about Chris Paul, linking the guard to various teams, that at this point it seems likely he’s traded. Perhaps it’s not a foregone conclusion, but factoring in his age and salary, it should be.

If the Thunder could package Paul and Gilgeous-Alexander to acquire a player such as Simmons, the Thunder should pursue it.

One note about this deal from Oklahoma City’s perspective: The Thunder didn’t part with any of their picks in this hypothetical. There’s a case to be made that any team acquiring Simmons might have to part with premium picks, but Gilgeous-Alexander serves as the young asset sent by the Thunder instead of a pick.

As for Richardson, he softens some of the blow of parting with Gilgeous-Alexander from a positional standpoint. Simmons is obviously the headliner for the Thunder, but Richardson cannot be overlooked.

In Ben Simmons, the Thunder would acquire a star who would bring back some of the expectations that Oklahoma City was accustomed to before Paul George and Russell Westbrook were traded. The Thunder surprisingly made the playoffs last season, but the narrative would change if Simmons were acquired.