The Oklahoma City Thunder have been one of the most active teams already this offseason when it comes to making trades. Before the 2022 NBA Draft, they made a deal with the Denver Nuggets that resulted in them taking back JaMychal Green and future picks in exchange for the 30th overall pick.
That has been their MO in recent years, to stockpile as many draft picks as possible. But, they were looking to move up in the draft this year and they did exactly that. The Thunder traded three protected first-round picks in the 2023 NBA Draft to the New York Knicks for the draft rights to No. 11 overall pick, Ousmane Dieng.
Oklahoma City also selected 12th overall, picking Santa Clara guard Jalen Williams. Those two players will be joining No. 2 overall pick, Chet Holmgren out of Gonzaga, as the Thunder came away with three more first-round prospects this year.
Sam Presti was going to have to eventually turn some of these draft picks and assets into players and he did that this season. Could we see Oklahoma City turn over a new leaf, trading away pieces to acquire something? Not so fast.
LATEST NBA FREE AGENCY NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: 3 Bold Trade Ideas To Send OKC Thunder Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander To Lakers
While they did trade away multiple picks before and during the 2022 NBA Draft, their approach isn’t changing. According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the Thunder are still open to taking on salary before the league year ends if it means acquiring more future draft picks.
That is a strategy that we have seen Oklahoma City deploy the last few offseasons, as they are willing to take on veterans with big contracts that teams are looking to move on from as long as draft capital is included. It is exactly what the Detroit Pistons did with the New York Knicks, twice already his offseason, as Detroit took Kemba Walker, Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks in separate deals.
LATEST NBA FREE AGENCY NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: 3 Bold Trade Ideas To Send OKC Thunder Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander To Lakers
Stockpiling as many assets as possible is smart for a rebuilding team. Oklahoma City can be contenders for virtually anyone on the trade market with the war chest of draft picks that they have built up and will be looking to add to.
