Miami Heat Receive: G/F Luguentz Dort, G Josh Giddey, F Aleksej Pokusevski, 2023 First-Round Pick (LAC via OKC), 2024 First-Round Pick (UTA via OKC), 2026 First-Round Pick (OKC) 

Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: C Bam Adebayo 

On the other hand, the Thunder haven’t been losing accidentally. In fact, it’s been entirely by design. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been “tanking”. Yes, the practice has plenty of detractors. Still, whether you like it or not, the Thunder are only taking advantage of the system that’s available to them. 

It’s not a system the Heat have been known to exploit. In fact, ever since LeBron James left this organization so long ago, they’ve remained competitive. Some years they’re good, while other years they’re great – but the Heat are basically never bad. 

At the same time, the Heat have advantages that the Thunder do not. Miami is a glamor market – to put it politely, Oklahoma City is not.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates

Either way, both of these organizations have had clear plans for a long time. 

Meanwhile, this trade has each deviating from them. Is that the right call for the Thunder?