Every NBA fan loves a homegrown contender. There’s just something appealing about the notion.
When a team builds a contender around players that they drafted, it’s satisfying. They “did it the right way”.
It’s also a romanticized notion. It’s very rare that a contender is built this way.
Usually, teams build through the draft to an extent and then make a major trade to take a step forward.
That’s likely the model the Oklahoma City Thunder will need to follow. This team has too many draft picks to use. Eventually, they’re going to have to consolidate those assets.
Could they do so by acquiring Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans?
