Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal 

Some will argue that the Thunder are repeating the Wolves’ mistake here. 

After all, Chet Holmgren will be back next season. With that in mind, the Thunder will be assembling a similar twin towers formation between him and Towns. What exactly are they doing here? 

Well, Holmgren ought to be a more mobile defender than Gobert. If anything, Towns would likely play the 5 here, with Holmgren roaming as a free safety and weakside shot blocker at the 4. The pairing is similar, but it’s also distinctly different in key ways. 

Moreover, the Thunder, unlike the Wolves, have a platoon of rangy wings that can mask Towns’ defensive limitations. Between Jaylin Williams, Ousmane Dieng, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and Darius Bazley, the Thunder, arguably, have unintentionally been building towards this acquisition for years. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & Oklahoma City Thunder

They may have intended on tanking this season, but if Towns does hit the trade market, they should at least entertain a change of plans.