Sacramento Kings Receive: F Jerami Grant, F Kendrich Williams, 2022 First-Round Pick (No. 12 – OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: F Harrison Barnes, 2022 First-Round Pick (No. 4 – SAC) 2022 First-Round Pick (No. 5 – DET), 2025 First-Round Pick (DET), 2027 First-Round Pick (DET)
Detroit Pistons Receive: G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
With this deal, the Oklahoma City Thunder take back a better player, which makes it a worse deal for them. Is this some kind of bizarro land, or is it opposite day? Is down up?
Nevermind. The Thunder would presumably prefer to avoid impact players in return for Gilgeous-Alexander because they’re trading him in the spirit of tanking in the first place. Still, the return here makes it well worth the cost.
That’s because this pick nets them the fourth overall pick in the draft. Imagine a team walking away from this draft with, for example, Chet Holmgren and Jaden Ivey. With two future picks to spare, that’s the type of haul that might be worth parting with a player like SGA.
Meanwhile, the Kings are willing to part with the fourth pick here because they’re desperate to make the playoffs next season.
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The benefits of acquiring Grant are obvious but don’t sleep on Kendrich Williams. He’s a solid 3-and-D wing who’ll improve the team in 2022-23. If they think that’s worth