If we said that the Oklahoma City Thunder had a lot of future first-round picks, we’d be making quite an understatement. The Thunder have the most draft capital ever assembled in NBA history. This team has positioned itself tremendously well moving forward.
After all, that’s not all that the Thunder have. They also have an impressive young core already in place. The Thunder looked like a team on the rise in 2022-23. They were scrappy and competitive. Does that mean they should make a win-now trade this summer?
Sure. The Thunder don’t have to do anything. This team enjoys unparalleled flexibility. Still, the Thunder will eventually have to consolidate their assets. This team cannot keep and use every pick at their disposal. Could they move some draft capital to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves?
The Trade Proposal
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: G/F Luguentz Dort, F Davis Bertans, G/F Ousmane Dieng, 2024 First-Round PIck (Top 4 Protected – HOU via OKC), 2026 First-Round Pick (LAC via OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: F/C Karl-Anthony Towns
Of course, draft capital is the NBA’s currency. If you don’t have it, you’d better have spent it well. A team that’s low on draft capital and doesn’t have serious NBA title odds is in the worst possible position.
Sorry, Timberwolves fans. At the same time, you’re best to come to grips with reality. The Wolves could play better next season than they did last year, but the point holds: this isn’t a contender. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves gave up a whopping four unprotected first-round picks to bring in Rudy Gobert. Yikes.
NBA NEWS, TRADES & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Gobert’s fit alongside Towns has appeared questionable. That’s how we got here. There is widespread speculation that the Wolves could shop Towns. Should the Thunder be interested in him?
Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal
So, Gobert and Towns aren’t a good fit. At the same time, the Timberwolves have struggled to cover for Towns’ weak interior defense for years. It all raises a question: What type of players would compliment Towns?
How about an elite rim protector with quick enough feet to defend in space? In theory, that’s what Chet Holmgren is supposed to be. Granted, the Thunder would be taking a risk by preemptively building around his hypothetical skillset. Still, it could be a risk worth taking. After all, this is Karl-Anthony Towns we’re talking about here.
NBA NEWS, TRADES & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
He’s one of the best offensive big men in the sport’s history. Meanwhile, his elite floor spacing would make him a perfect complement to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey. Finally, Towns’ reputation has taken something of a hit: this is a buy-low opportunity for the Thunder. Should the Timberwolves give them that opportunity?
Why The Minnesota Timberwolves Do The Deal
For the Wolves, much of this comes down to how they view Dieng. Heading into the 2022 draft, he was considered as one of his class’s biggest mysteries. Dieng is a long wing with two-way potential – who still needs plenty of skill development. If the Wolves see a star in him, they could like this deal.
On the other hand, they could like it anyway. It bears repeating: the Wolves gave up four first-round picks for Gobert. Here, they’re getting two back. Granted, one of them is protected. Still, given the summer that the Houston Rockets have had, it would be a disaster for them if they kept this pick. They’ve invested too much into their new roster to land a top-4 pick.
NBA NEWS, TRADES & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Finally, the Wolves will be hoping that this is a case of addition by subtraction. By adding Dort to a frontcourt featuring Gobert and Jaden McDaniels, they could have one of the best defenses in the NBA. If Anthony Edwards can handle the lion’s share of the offense, this deal could actually make them a better team – and get them some draft capital back in the process.
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