Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, G/F Cam Reddish, F Obi Toppin, 2023 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2025 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2027 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2029 First-Round Pick (NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Of course, there are other drawbacks to tanking, too.
The flattened lottery odds have made it a less desirable route to take. The worst team in the NBA has a far lower chance of landing the number one pick than it used to. The results can mean a wasted season of losing.
The New York Knicks know all about that. When they had the best odds of landing Zion Williamson, they all but reserved a locker for the young phenom. He never came. Instead, they selected his college teammate RJ Barrett.
A team could go 0-82 this year and still only have a 14% chance of landing Victor Wembanyama.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder & New York Knicks Updates
Meanwhile, any pick from third overall down is landing you a player who may have a chance at stardom but isn’t assured it. Sometimes, playing the odds doesn’t work out.
Should the Thunder continue doing so?
