As an NBA team rebuilds, they eventually need to consolidate their talent. In the beginning, they want good young players – period. Eventually, roster construction starts to matter.
A team may trade a young player who was previously thought to be part of their core. Take the Oklahoma City Thunder. This team has a remarkable collection of young talent.
They also have an unprecedented number of assets. By now, the Thunder are ready to play competitive basketball. Are there any young players on this roster who just don’t fit?
Perhaps. Josh Giddey has had a somewhat challenging 2023-24 season. It’s possible that he’s not a good fit with this team. The Thunder may need some floor spacing more than Giddey’s extra playmaking.
Could they send him to the Utah Jazz?
NBA Trade Proposal: Utah Jazz Land Oklahoma City Thunder’s Josh Giddey
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: F/C Kelly Olynyk, 2025 First-Round Pick (MIN via UTA)
Utah Jazz Receive: G/F Josh Giddey, F Kendrich Williams
With that said, every rebuild isn’t cut and dry. Sometimes, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what a team is doing. They’re in a grey area between rebuilding and playing competitive basketball.
Take the Jazz. Most would hold that this team is rebuilding. Is that a fair claim? Lauri Markkanen is 26 – he isn’t old, but he’s not exactly a prospect, either.
There are veterans in this team’s rotation, too. In fact, the Jazz have seemed hesitant to play some of their younger players. Yet, they’re losing. A lot.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz Updates
The Jazz may or may not be rebuilding, but they’re certainly not contending. Does this deal nudge them in the right direction?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
This would be an unconventional choice for Utah. If they are rebuilding, they typically wouldn’t be giving up a first-round pick.
Meanwhile, if they’re contending, it would be counterintuitive for them to trade for a young player. Stop overthinking it. The Jazz need a point guard. Giddey is a dynamic playmaker.
He’d be joining Keyonte George to form one of the more intriguing young backcourts in the NBA. This is a good acquisition for the Jazz no matter what their intentions are moving forward.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz Updates
If this deal makes them more competitive, they’ve got the assets to make another trade. If it worsens them, they can build through the draft – and they’ll have a cornerstone in Giddey.
Should the Thunder give him up?
Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal
Why is Giddey a poor fit here? Specifically, it’s his fit with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. At one time, fans liked the idea of fielding the biggest backcourt in the NBA.
Unfortunately, both players are ball-dominant and neither is a knockdown shooter. So, it’s probably time to move Giddey. What should the Thunder seek in a trade? It feels like draft capital won’t be the priority.
The Thunder need useful veterans who fit their roster. Olynyk makes sense from that point of view. He’s a versatile combo big who can space the floor and offer some defensive value.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz Updates
Yet, Giddey would have more trade value than Olynyk, and the Thunder aren’t going to take a loss. So, adding one more first-round pick to their arsenal makes sense. Perhaps they’ll use that pick in a bigger trade down the line. After all, they won’t be done consolidating yet.
