Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: G John Wall, 2022 First-Round Pick (No.3 – HOU), 2023 First-Round Pick (MIL), 2024 First-Round Pick (HOU)
Houston Rockets Receive: G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, C Derrick Favors
The Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder have become strange bedfellows over the past few seasons. This trade sees them continue a trend of making trades with each other.
It may be odd to see Gilgeous-Alexander’s name in trade packages. It shouldn’t be. There is every reason to wonder whether he’s growing dissatisfied with the tanking Thunder. Furthermore, the organization may need to move him if they hope to continue tanking ahead of the 2023 Draft.
This deal sees the marriage between a star player and his team come to an end. Meanwhile, the Rockets may be less keen on a long-term tanking project than the Thunder. After all, they owe their 2024 and ’25 draft picks with top-4 protection to (wait for it) the Thunder.
Of course, that could disincentivize the Thunder from entertaining this offer. It’s in their best interest if the Rockets remain at the bottom of the standings. On the other hand, if the Rockets want to get competitive before those picks convey, the Thunder can’t exactly stop them from trying either way.
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Still, if sending their best player to a team they’re invested in not improving isn’t palatable, there could be another trade between these two sides that suits them both.
