Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: F Jerami Grant, G Killian Hayes, 2023 First-Round Pick (DET), 2026 First-Round Pick (DET), 2028 First-Round Pick (DET)
Detroit Pistons Receive: G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
We’ll be honest: this specific iteration of an Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trade gives both teams reason to opt-out.
For the Thunder, acquiring Jerami Grant mitigates the purpose of trading Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He’s a good NBA player, which is something they’d be actively avoiding here. Meanwhile, getting SGA to the Detroit Pistons without moving Grant’s contract verges on impossible.
On the other hand, the Pistons should be apprehensive to part with this much draft capital. They’re still in the early stages of a rebuild. With that said, the potential of a Cade Cunningham / Shai Gilgeous-Alexander backcourt has no limit.
At 31.4%, Cunningham didn’t shoot at an elite level from downtown in his rookie campaign, but he comfortably eclipsed Giddey’s mark. He also faced considerably more defensive pressure. It feels like a safer bet that the #1 overall pick can accommodate a talent like Gilgeous-Alexander long-term.
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Meanwhile, the collective height of a Cunningham/Gilgeous-Alexander stands to overwhelm opponents. They’re each listed at 6’6. There are plenty of reasons for the Detroit Pistons to clamor to pair the 2, but at this price point, they may have to pass.
It feels like a third team is required to make this deal work.
