When an NBA team is rebuilding, they’re accumulating assets. 

Some teams do that more flagrantly than others. There are competing philosophies about rebuilding. Some say it’s vital to make the core you’re drafting work.

Others would argue that you’re only going to trade half of the players you’re accumulating anyway. 

Either way, any rebuild has a consolidation phase. Eventually, a team will have to aggregate some of the young players and picks they have and trade for a star. If nothing else, they’ll need to do so just to manage their roster. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder are reaching that point. This team has the most draft capital in the NBA and a huge collection of young players.

They’re also beginning to look like they’re ready to transition into their next phase. 

Could Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat be the player to facilitate that transition?