Rebuilding an NBA team is like putting together a puzzle. Sometimes, you’re just missing one piece. At the moment, the Oklahoma City Thunder are asking themselves what that piece is.
It’s not a playmaker. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best players in the NBA. Josh Giddey has star potential as well. It’s not a defensive anchor, either. The Thunder invested a lottery pick in Chet Holmgren. They’re going to want to see how he pans out.
It could be a floor spacing, two-way wing. Meanwhile, it doesn’t have to be a young player. The Thunder made tremendous progress last year. If they wanted to, they could justify acquiring a win-now player. Could that player be Tobias Harris of the Philadelphia 76ers?
The Trade Proposal
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: F Davis Bertans, G/F Victor Oladipo, 2025 First-Round Pick (PHI)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: F Tobias Harris
With that said, every rebuild is different. Some puzzles are partly done. A general manager simply steps in and fills in the missing pieces. Other puzzles are built from scratch.
Take the 76ers. This team languished in mediocrity for a long time. Eventually, they decided that enough was enough. The Sixers underwent one of the largest-scale rebuilding processes in NBA history. The “Process” involved them tanking for several years, acquiring lottery-level talent, and shifting into win-now mode.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
The Thunder have taken a similar route. Still, they didn’t tank for as long as the Sixers – and they didn’t need to. The Thunder have amassed the most draft capital in the league’s history. Should they really send the 76ers their own pick back?
Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal
Sure. The Thunder don’t need this pick. Actually, they need to start sending picks out. This team couldn’t possibly use every selection they have down the road. It’s time for Oklahoma City to start consolidating some of those assets.
Harris should be an appealing target. For one thing, he’s on an expiring deal. Harris’ next contract won’t be nearly as substantial as the one that he’s currently on. If he clicks with this core, the Thunder will be able to bring him back at a discount. If he doesn’t, they’ll at least get some cap relief.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
With that said, we expect Harris to click with this core. He’s exactly the type of floor spacing 4 that this team is missing. Meanwhile, unlike Bertans, Harris has some defensive value as well. Should the Sixers send out such a useful player?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
The Sixers have bigger problems than Harris. Frankly, the sky is falling in Philadelphia. James Harden has requested a trade. Meanwhile, some have suggested that Joel Embiid will follow suit before long.
If the Sixers are forced to rebuild, this is an excellent deal for them. They couldn’t ask for a better first-round pick than one of their own. Sure, this pick, as it stands, is top-6 protected. Do the Sixers want to send the 7th overall pick to the Thunder? With full control of their 2025 draft, the Sixers can entertain thoughts of Cooper Flagg in their uniform.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
We’re getting ahead of ourselves. The Sixers are likely hoping to keep Embiid – if not Harden. This deal has benefits in that event too. Adding a first-round pick to their arsenal will help them make win-now trades. Meanwhile, there’s still hope for Oladipo to round back into a contributor. Who knows? He could be a vital part of this team’s puzzle.
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