First-round picks are the currency of the NBA. Almost everyone’s got a price. The Denver Nuggets wouldn’t trade Nikola Jokic for anything.
The Milwaukee Bucks likely feel the same about Giannis Antetokoumnpo, and the Spurs wouldn’t part with Victor Wembanyama. Otherwise, it’s likely that any player in the NBA could be traded for the right number of first-rounders.
That’s why the teams that own picks are in such an opportune position. They have the means to get the players that they want. By that measure, everyone should be jealous of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
They’ve got a pair of relatively untouchable players in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren. More to the point, they’ve got the best collection of first-round picks that an NBA team has ever had.
With that said the Brooklyn Nets have an impressive collection in their own right. Yet, the Nets have had a fairly underwhelming season. Given their record, it’s likely that no player on their roster is untouchable.
Could they send Mikal Bridges to the Thunder?
NBA Trade Proposal: Oklahoma City Thunder Land Brooklyn Nets’ Mikal Bridges
Brooklyn Nets Receive: F Davis Bertans, G/F Josh Giddey, 2024 First-Round Pick (LAC via OKC), 2027 First-Round Pick (LAC via OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: G/F Mikal Bridges
On the other hand, there’s no first-round pick that’s more important than your own. That’s the pick that you can actually control. If a team is underwhelming, they can attempt to tank – unless another team owns their pick, of course. In that event, their flexibility becomes limited.
That’s the situation in Brooklyn. A few years ago, this team acquired James Harden from the Houston Rockets. In return, they sent the Rockets four unprotected first-round picks and three swaps.
It was the most draft capital that a team has ever received in a single exchange. As a result, the Rockets control Brooklyn’s draft through to 2027.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
This puts the Nets in a bind. They have no incentive to lose. At the same time, they’re losing far too often anyway. This team may have to consider taking drastic measures, even if it means sending the Rockets a quality pick or two.
Is this a measure that they should take?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
Those picks are a sunk cost. The Nets owe the Rockets their pick whether it lands first or 30th in the draft. At this point, it doesn’t look like it’s going to land 30th – or even close to it. So, the Nets should be open to any possibility.
This one ought to intrigue them. By adding two more unprotected firsts to their arsenal, the Nets would become major players in the league’s trade market.
They’ve already got a wide range of picks from a variety of teams. After adding these selections, they’d be in a position to make a move for a superstar – and have enough assets left to build around them.
Yet, this deal could also be huge for the team’s future. Giddey is struggling in Oklahoma City this year, but he’ll have more opportunities to handle the ball in Brooklyn.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
He could be this team’s point guard of the future. Meanwhile, it’s entirely possible that the Clippers would be sending the Nets a lottery pick this year.
Should the Thunder risk parting with that pick?
Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal
Parting with Giddey may hurt. At the same time, he doesn’t appear to be a clean fit alongside Gilgeous-Alexander. Both of these guards are best with the ball in their hands. If the Thunder are choosing between the two, it’s no contest. They’ll stick with Gilgeous-Alexander.
Meanwhile, they’ve been winning games in spite of that clunky pairing. How? Well, Gilgeous-Alexander still looks like a superstar. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are ahead of schedule.
The Thunder have many of the key components that make a winning NBA team. What are they missing? How about a 3-and-D wing who can guard the opposing team’s best player and create his own shot?
That’s Bridges. He’s the missing piece for this Thunder team. With his size and wingspan, he’ll make up any size mismatches that the Thunder faces. Offensively, he’ll slot in as the second option behind Gilgeous-Alexander until one of Williams or Holmgren is ready to take that spot.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
When that time comes, Bridges can easily scale his role down. That’s a valuable player. Certainly, the Nets would part with him for the right price.
