The Oklahoma City Thunder can go in a number of directions this offseason. General manager Sam Presti has perfectly orchestrated their rebuild to this point, and the results are paying off in dividends. After winning only 24 games two years ago, the Thunder earned the one-seed in the Western Conference thanks to a 57-win season this year.
While their second-round exit at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks was disappointing, the Thunder proved themselves to be a legitimate title contender. Their rebuild is undoubtedly ahead of schedule, and because their young core is under contract for years to come, this team will be a problem for the rest of the league for a long time.
Oklahoma City entered the year with the second youngest roster in the NBA, and their only two impending free agents – Gordon Hayward and Bismack Biyombo – didn't play major roles on the team last year. Hayward didn't play as big of a role as expected after being picked up at the trade deadline, and Biyombo is only a depth piece.
The Thunder have taken a “don't skip steps” approach, which has meant they haven't made the big moves in free agency or in the trade market that some have expected them to. The team has more draft capital to trade than any other team and enough cap space to take on a big contract, though, so this offseason may finally be the year they make the big move that gets them over the hump.
The Thunder won't rush into any trade, and they are only going to make a big move if it fits the team's style and timeline. There are several players who might be on the trade market that make sense, though, so with that in mind, let's check out five trades that the Thunder should consider this offseason.
Anthony Davis
Oklahoma City Thunder receive: Anthony Davis
Los Angeles Lakers receive: Josh Giddey, Lu Dort, Ousmane Deing, Kenrich Williams, 2024 first-round pick via Houston (12th overall), 2025 first-round pick via Utah, 2027 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick via Denver
Anthony Davis has not been mentioned in many trade rumors as of late, but in the modern NBA, you never know when a star will request a trade, or when a team will look to reset and move their top option for a bunch of draft picks. Of course, no one would have more to offer for one of the best players in the NBA than the Thunder, and Davis being traded may be more likely than it seems.
LeBron James has a player option on his contract, and no one knows what he will do this offseason. He may join forces with his son (Bronny James) wherever he winds-up, he may sign a massive deal to play for yet another new team, or, he may just return to Los Angeles and pursue another championship with the Lakers.
In any scenario where James leaves, it could make sense to trade Davis, as the Lakers likely aren't contenders without the future Hall of Famer, and they may want to kickstart a rebuild by receiving the massive haul that it would take to pry away Davis.
The Thunder's biggest need is a power forward (or center) who can play alongside Chet Holmgren while providing additional rebounding and the ability to sometimes guard bulkier centers. Davis is the picture-perfect fit for this need. Davis has the body and strength of a center, and that is the position he played this season for the Lakers. He has also stated before that he prefers to play power forward, and Oklahoma City could offer him that possibility.
Davis is one of the best rebounders in the NBA, so he would fix that problem for the Thunder. He is also one of the best rim protectors in the league. He and Holmgren would form a terrifying shot-blocking duo that would allow Holmgren to thrive by not having to go against larger big men who can overpower him.
This deal may be a pipe dream, especially considering Davis and the Lakers agreed to a contract extension back in August that keeps the megastar with the team through 2028. Not to mention, Davis is coming off an All-NBA Second Team season which was his healthiest season in over a half decade.
Still, the NBA gets crazy sometimes, and there are few teams that would be a better fit AND have the assets to get a deal done than the Thunder. The Lakers lack of draft capital could further incentive them to make this trade, and the four young players they'd bring in here would be helpful too.
Jarrett Allen
Oklahoma City Thunder receive: Jarrett Allen
Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Josh Giddey, Kenrich Williams, 2024 first-round pick via Houston (12th overall), 2027 first-round pick
Although Chet Holmgren had a fantastic rookie season, their playoff series against Dallas illustrated Oklahoma City's weakness. They need help in the interior, both in the rebounding department and with defending centers.
Jarrett Allen is a double-double machine and does both of those things at an extremely high-level. Of course, the Thunder would have to feel comfortable playing Allen alongside Holmgren, but that shouldn't be a problem. Not only did Holmgren play predominantly at the power forward position in college, but Allen has experience playing alongside another big man. Evan Mobley – a fellow seven-footer with a similar skill set and frame to Holmgren's – has been his frontcourt partner with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the past three seasons.
In this trade, the Thunder are able to get rid of Josh Giddey, like they've been rumored to be interested in doing. They only have to throw in two first rounders and a hustle player in Kenrich Williams to get the job done for a player who was in the All-Star Game two years ago.
Mikal Bridges
Oklahoma City Thunder receive: Mikal Bridges
Brooklyn Nets: Josh Giddey, Lu Dort, 2024 first-round pick via Houston (12th overall), 2025 first-round pick via Utah
Lu Dort is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and an absolute nuisance on the less glamorous end, so including him in a trade would hurt, but the Thunder would basically get an upgraded version of him in Mikal Bridges.
With the Phoenix Suns, Bridges was one of the best point-of-attack defenders in the NBA, and then he took his offensive game to a whole different level after being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. After landing with them in the 2022-23 campaign, Bridges averaged 26.1 points per game over the ensuing 27 games. He illustrated that he had more ability off the bounce as a shot creator than anyone knew.
However, the 2023-24 season proved he probably isn't fit to be a number one option. In Oklahoma City, Bridges could focus on the defense that he is known for while also having more freedom in the Thunder's offense than he had with the Suns. The Thunder are a great passing team that gets everyone involved, whereas Phoenix was an isolation-heavy team that force fed their stars the basketball.
Jakob Poeltl
Oklahoma City Thunder receive: Jakob Poeltl
Toronto Raptors receive: Josh Giddey, three second-round picks
It is commonly known that the Thunder might be interested in moving Giddey this summer. If they aren't looking to unload a bunch of draft capital to go star hunting, Giddey can still be used as a player who can help land a solid piece.
Jakob Poeltl doesn't need a lot of touches, which would be nice on a Thunder team stacked with scorers. He would help in the rebounding and paint protection departments, though. The Raptors traded a bunch of their best players at the trade deadline while kicking off a rebuild, and Poeltl is one of their best remaining trade assets.
Because of his status as a 28-year-old veteran, he doesn't necessarily fit their timeline, making him one of the Raptors players most likely to be moved this offseason. If he is made available, the Thunder should make the phone call and try to trade for him. Giddey is only 21 years old, and second-round picks are more valuable than ever before, so there is a good chance that the Raptors would be interested in a trade package similar to the one listed above.
Donovan Mitchell
Oklahoma City Thunder receive: Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Cason Wallace, Josh Giddey, Kenrich Williams, Ousmane Deing, 2024 first-round pick via Houston (12th overall), 2025 first-round pick via Utah, 2027 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick via Denver, 2029 first-round swap options
Reports have gone back and forth on whether the Cavs will extend Donovan Mitchell's contract or if they will look to trade him for a massive haul in fear that he will eventually walk in free agency. If Cleveland chooses the latter option, Mitchell will be the biggest name on the trading block.
It would take a huge package to acquire someone of Mitchell's talents, but the Thunder have the draft capital and young assets to make it happen. Mitchell plays the shooting guard position and will need 30-plus minutes there. Giddey and Cason Wallace play a lot of shooting guard, so losing their services won't be too detrimental, even though Wallace was one of the best rookies in the league this season.
Mitchell would immediately form arguably the best backcourt in the NBA alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Their scoring pop would be too much for opposing defenses to handle, and with Holmgren, Lu Dort, and Jalen Williams still in the starting lineup, the Thunder would have a rotation straight out of a video game.
With Mitchell in the fold, the Thunder wouldn't just be a young, up-and-coming team. With a playoff heartbreak already under their belt and one of the best shooting guards in the league joining forces with the existing core, the Thunder might be viewed as the biggest title contenders in the league.
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