Does this trade make sense for the Oklahoma City Thunder?
Right now, the Oklahoma City Thunder are looking for ways to build themselves into a legit threat for the future, but Kemba Walker is just a short-term plan for GM Sam Presti. They are not going to be tied down to Walker past his current contract, which is why they will be more than willing to trade him again this offseason, but only for the right price.
Oklahoma City wants draft picks and young talents and while the Clippers may not be able to give that to them, they can get these assets somewhere else, which is why other teams would likely have to be involved.
Even if they were to get just one first-round pick for Morris and Kennard, they would likely do so because they do not want to pay these contracts from the Clippers.
Kennard and Morris are tied down contractually through the 2023-24 season, with Kennard having a team option for the final year in his deal. The Thunder want young talents and financial flexibility, which is why these two guys provide no use to them and their plans.
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However, Ivica Zubac could immediately fill a hole the Thunder have at center and they could also utilize this 25th overall pick they get from the Clippers as well. This trade gives the Thunder 4 total first-round picks this year, enough to bring in a whole new lineup of young talent should they choose to keep all of them.
Trading Kemba Walker really does not hurt the Thunder and if they are getting young talents/draft picks in return in a trade for him, then they will view this as a “win.” This trade proposal is not terrible for the Thunder, but they will not agree to anything until they know the other teams involved in this proposal.
