The Oklahoma City Thunder are in a good position ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season. This team has a lot of talent and a lot of flexibility. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is already performing at an All-NBA level. Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams both have tremendous upside. Meanwhile, the Thunder will welcome Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace into the fold this summer.
Meanwhile, the Thunder have draft picks. That’s an understatement. The Thunder have more first-round picks than any team has accumulated in NBA history.
Do they have too many picks? That would be a bold statement. At the same time, the Thunder could never use every pick they own to select a player. At some point, they’ll have to consolidate their assets. Could they do so this summer by acquiring OG Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors?
The Trade Proposal
Toronto Raptors Receive: G/F Luguentz Dort, F/C Aleksej Pokusevski, 2024 First-Round Pick (UTA via OKC), 2025 First-Round Pick (MIA via OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: F OG Anunoby
The Raptors are in a…confusing situation. It’s not all bad – but it’s not all good, either. There’s plenty of talent here. It’s just not all on the same page. The Raptors have young players and veterans. Last year, it wasn’t a recipe for success.
This summer, they took a hit to their talent. Fred VanVleet will be a Houston Rocket in 2023-24. Will that determine the moves that the Raptors make this summer?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Oklahoma City Thunder & Toronto Raptors Updates
It’s hard to say. The Raptors are widely expected to trade Pascal Siakam. On the other hand, Anunoby may be a little more difficult for rival teams to obtain. Should the Raptors let him go at this price?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
We think so. It wouldn’t be an easy decision to make. Anunoby is young enough to grow with this team. Meanwhile, he’s one of the best 3-and-D wings in the NBA.
At the same time, the Raptors are low on assets. This team’s draft capital is underwhelming. If the Raptors are going to rebuild, they’ll need that flexibility moving forward.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Oklahoma City Thunder & Toronto Raptors Updates
This deal grants them that. Meanwhile, Pokusevski has some upside, and Dort is already a solid 3-and-D in his own right. The Raptors will get worse in the present by making this deal, but it’ll improve their future outlook. Should the Thunder make a win-now move?
Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal
Let’s answer that question with another question. What do the Thunder need? They’ve got their offensive engine. This team’s attack will be built around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder need pieces that complement him.
In theory, they’ve got their defensive anchor as well. The Thunder should be banking on Chet Holmgren to fulfill that role. What’s left?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Oklahoma City Thunder & Toronto Raptors Updates
How about an elite 3-and-D wing? Anunoby could be the missing piece for this group. If the Thunder are ready to take a step forward, they should spare a few draft picks for OG Anunoby. After all, it’s not like they can use them all.
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