A new report suggests the NBA champs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, could be plotting a trade into the top 10 of Wednesday’s NBA Draft.
The Thunder are still deep into celebrating the franchise’s first NBA championship. However, there is no rest for the weary. And the front office must quickly pivot to scheming out their roster for next season. The assumption is that almost all of this year’s team will be back next season.
However, staying the status quo could be problematic financially. Since the organization has a pair of first-round picks in tomorrow’s draft they will have to pay solid money. They are one of the most notable teams linked to trades on Wednesday. With some wondering if they could trade out of Round 1 entirely. However, a new report suggests they could instead look to land one of this year’s 10 best prospects.
“Could the Thunder trade up to No. 10? Sources say Oklahoma City did have some dialogue with Houston about that pick before the Rockets used it as a primary element of the package to acquire [Kevin] Durant,” NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on Tuesday. “Such a move could feasibly appeal to the Suns to add another first-round pick if they feel a player they like at No. 10 is likely to still be available at 15.”
The Thunder owns the picks at 15 and 24. Phoenix being open to trading out of the 10 spot for those two selections is very possible. After the Durant trade, the Suns have a glut of guards and swingmen. Including Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks from the Rockets, and Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Grayson Allen. They need more frontcourt talent.
If they can secure pick 10 on Wednesday, BYU star Egor Demin, Illinois playmaker Kasparas Jakucionis, or Duke center Khaman Maluach could be potential targets for the Thunder.
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After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka ... More about Jason Burgos