Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal
Generally speaking, it’s understood that any team trading for Durant has to have enough leftover afterward to contend. The Thunder may not meet that threshold, but they may be surprisingly close.
After all, the Thunder have a ready-made co-star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He and Durant would instantly make for one of the more talented pairings in the NBA. From that starting point alone, the Thunder would have exciting possibilities.
If Chet Holmgren begins to hit his ceiling earlier than expected, the Thunder could be contending next season. If not, as crazy as it may sound, they could move him. In either event, the Thunder would have a lot to work with after adding Durant.
It may not be the route most are expecting for this organization. Undeniably, the safer route for OKC is to continue implementing a long-term plan, aiming for contention in five or more years.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets & OKC Thunder Updates
At the same time, sometimes, when an opportunity presents itself, you pivot. The opportunity to assemble a core of Durant, Gilgeous-Alexander and either Holmgren or whatever the team can fetch for Holmgren may be too much to pass up on.
