Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: C Alperen Sengun, C Christian Wood, G Eric Gordon, 2022 First-Round Pick (HOU), 2023 First-Round Pick (MIL), 2026 First-Round Pick (BKN)
Houston Rockets Receive: G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
If the Houston Rockets balk at giving up so much draft capital, they may be able to talk the Thunder into taking on a promising young player in Sengun instead. After all, they’re still getting plenty of picks in this swap.
Ironically, the Thunder dealt Sengun to the Rockets on the night of the 2021 draft. In other words, they had already actively passed on him. That’s not as relevant as it sounds. Now, they’ve had a whole year to scout him at the NBA level.
Plenty of observers was impressed with his floor vision and high IQ brand of basketball. The Thunder may see a different future for him in light of new information.
On the other hand, so might the Rockets. Their front office may not be eager to part with a rookie they feel they stole from the 2021 draft. If that’s the feeling, they’ll undoubtedly wrestle with Presti over how much draft capital should be going Oklahoma City’s way in this deal.
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Still, the Rockets are acquiring the best player in this trade by far. If they wish to land a star like Gilgeous-Alexander, they will not come cheaply. The team gets to hold onto some of their more valuable future picks here: if this asking price is too high, it means they don’t want SGA.
In that event, the Thunder may be forced to turn to a win-now club if they intend to deal their young star guard.
