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The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded away multiple stars over the past few seasons. They have acquired numerous draft picks as well as young players.
The Thunder have the most assets of any team in the NBA, which they can use to acquire superstar players.
Stars always seem to be on the move in the league, and the Thunder are in a perfect position to make a move for them. They have an emerging star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is still on his rookie deal.
The Thunder should look to surround him with other stars to create a contending team.
Here are five superstars OKC could acquire with its draft picks.
Thunder trade targets:
5. Guard C.J. McCollum
C.J. McCollum could be on the move this summer as the Portland Trail Blazers may enter a rebuild. Rumors have floated around of Damian Lillard being on the move, which could result in a full-scale rebuild. He is an elite scoring guard that would bring instant offense to any team.
McCollum averaged a career-high 23.1 points per game along with 4.7 assists on 40.2 percent from three. These numbers are highly efficient for a guard, which shows the value he brings to a team.
A trade for McCollum would give the Thunder a more dynamic offense.
4. Forward Domantas Sabonis
Domantas Sabonis is one of the most underrated players in the NBA and would be a great pickup for the Thunder. The Indiana Pacers need to hit the reset button and ship off their stars. Sabonis spent his rookie season with OKC before being included in the Paul George trade.
It would be a welcome return for Sabonis as he is now a two-time All-Star. He averaged 20.3 points per game along with 12 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
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3. Guard Zach LaVine
Zach LaVine is one of the top young guards in the league and would be a great addition. The Chicago Bulls made a move at the trade deadline to acquire star center Nikola Vucevic, but they still missed the playoffs. LaVine is entering the final year of his contract and could be moved for future assets.
The Thunder have a ton of assets and could pair LaVine with Gilgeous-Alexander. LaVine averaged a career-high 27.4 points per game on 41.9 percent from the three-point line. He is a high-level scorer that made his first All-Star game this season.
The Thunder should make an offer for LaVine to start becoming a contender.
2. Guard Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal is one of the best scorers in the entire NBA and would instantly elevate the Thunder team. Beal averaged 31.3 points per game which was the second-highest average in the league. He can score at any level, which makes him a nightmare to defend.
The Washington Wizards are in a difficult spot that could lead to a Beal trade. The Thunder would be perfect as they could get back future assets in return. Beal would make a dynamic backcourt with Gilgeous-Alexander that would be difficult for any team to compete with.
A trade for Beal would help OKC make a run at the playoffs.
1. Center Karl-Anthony Towns
The most intriguing player on this list is center Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns has been a great player throughout his career but hasn't had any playoff success. He is a unique offensive talent, especially for the center position. Towns averaged 24.8 points per game, along with 10.6 rebounds. He is one of the best shooting bigs in the league as he has a career three-point percentage of 39.4 percent.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are in a tough spot and need to figure out a direction. If they decide to rebuild and trade Towns, the Thunder must jump on it. They have the assets to bring him in and pair him with star Gilgeous-Alexander.
Why the Thunder can make a deal happen?
The Thunder have 18 first-round picks over the next 7 years and need to trade some of them away. It is almost impossible to draft 18 first-round players and they need to trade for a star. They would be able to keep a ton of their future picks while also acquiring a star player.
OKC should make a move for one of these guys in the offseason to become a contender.
