Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: G Derrick Rose, G/F Evan Fournier, 2023 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2023 First-Round Pick (DAL), 2025 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2027 First-Round Pick (NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
It’s entirely possible that the Oklahoma City Thunder’s long-term plans begin and end with the 2023 NBA draft.
Victor Wembenyama headlines the class. If you’re not familiar, we’d strongly recommend getting familiar. He’s a 7’3 demigod. He protects the rim like Gobert but dribbles and shoots with the fluidity of Khris Middleton. It’s no exaggeration to say that he’s regarded as the best prospect since LeBron James.
Otherwise, the class is rounded out by Scoot Henderson (the most anticipated prospect since John Wall), Dariq Whitehead (a prototypical 3-and-D who also creates his own shot), and many more exciting prospects. If there was ever a draft to target for a tank job, this is the one.
This trade gives the Thunder two more opportunities to land one of those marquee names. Granted, neither New York nor Dallas’ picks are likely to land in the top 5.
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Still, a likelihood is not a certainty. A bad break for either squad could be a blessing for the Thunder.
Otherwise, they’re still nabbing two future first-round picks. The only reason they may prefer another deal would be to avoid taking on the contracts attached to Rose and Fournier. Let’s look for another deal where they don’t have to.
