Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal 

Well, we did also say Young is one of the best playmakers in the NBA. 

That alone has tremendous value. A team can still win around Young: they just need to be built to do so. As it happens, the Thunder may have a perfect roster for him. 

That will hold especially true when Chet Holmgren returns. If his defense is as special as scouts hope it can be, he’ll offset a lot of Young’s negative impact on that end of the floor.

Moreover, the Thunder have a platoon of long wing players to do the same. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates

Finally, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander profiles as a perfect backcourt mate for Young. At 6’7, he’s got plus positional size to make up for Young’s smallness, and unlike Murray, he’s effective both on and off the ball. 

After this trade, the Thunder may not need to rely on the draft anymore.