After finishing with the NBA's best record this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder came into this postseason as the favorites to win the West. While still young and relatively inexperienced, they've managed to prove themselves by winning the first three rounds to make their first Finals appearance since 2012.
With the MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way, alongside Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Lu Dort, the Thunder are just four wins away from marking their place in NBA history, but Game 1 did not go according to plan.
Despite having a double-digit lead late into the game, the Thunder gave up their advantage and let the Indiana Pacers storm back at the last minute to win the game. It was a heartbreaking defeat for the Thunder, who are now down 1-0 in the series with up to three games on the road. If the Thunder do go on to lose, it will be the second straight year they've been eliminated in the playoffs after having the best record in the West.
With more games still left to play, the series is far from over for Oklahoma City, and they will fight until the very end. If they somehow are unable to come back in this series, we can expect some changes in the summer, and the Thunder have plenty of assets to offer.
Trade Scenario No. 1
Proposed Trade Details
Thunder Receive: Tyler Herro
Heat Receive: Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, Nikola Topic, 2028 second-round pick (via Bucks)
With their length, youth, and athleticism, the Thunder are a naturally gifted defensive team, but their offense can labor at times without a reliable secondary scorer behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In the Game 1 loss to Indiana, OKC shot just 39.9% from the field while going 11-30 from three-point range.
Despite ranking as a top-three offensive team, shooting has been an area of weakness for the Thunder, given they are the fourth-worst three-point shooting team of the entire playoffs at just 33.7% from three for an average of 12.5 makes per game. Herro, with career averages of 19.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, would provide an instant boost for the Thunder and provide a potent outside scoring option to complement SGA's game.
The Heat, after a disappointing loss in the first round, will be open to making trades this summer. A collection of young Thunder players, along with a pick, may just be enough to get them to part with Herro and finally start a rebuild to wipe the slate clean.
Trade Scenario No. 2
Proposed Trade Details
Thunder Receive: Darius Garland
Cavaliers Receive: Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, 2031 first-round pick
The Thunder already have an impressive core group of players, but there is a way they can acquire a nice young star point guard to play next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the backcourt. After totaling just 13 assists in the Game 1 loss, the Thunder could use another playmaker on the team, and Cleveland's Darius Garland could make an ideal fit.
At 25 years old, he fits the Thunder's timeline, and his skills as an all-around guard would likely prove highly useful. In 75 games last season, Garland averaged 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists as he helped his team to the top seed in the East. After falling short in the playoffs, Garland is not on the trade block as the Cavs search for any way to get better.
Giving up Garland would be a tough ask, but if it means expanding their depth and getting a first-round draft pick in the process, it may be something the Cavaliers are willing to accept. At the very least, we know that they'll be making some kind of change after back-to-back early playoff exits.
Trade Scenario No. 3
Proposed Trade Details
Thunder Receive: Desmond Bane
Grizzlies Receive: Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Nikola Topic, 2031 first-round pick
The Thunder are already one of the best teams in the West, but if they had another shot creator and consistent shooter, it would go a long way toward maximizing their potential. With Desmond Bane, the Thunder could add a quality two-way guard and a trusted NBA veteran who can impact the game in more ways than one.
Giving up Lu Dort and a first-round pick would be hard for OKC, but it might be worth the gamble if it means finding a backcourt partner that can make life easier for SGA. Plus, after watching Tyrese Haliburton go off on Thursday, the Pacers need someone who can slow down the star point guards, and Bane might have more success.
It's unknown what the Grizzlies plan to do this summer, but if they do decide to tweak the roster, it might not be a bad idea to go for depth over star power. With the Thunder's package, Memphis can build up for the future and start to restore some of what they lost in the Ja Morant era.
For now, all we can do is wait and see how the Finals turn out, but the Thunder are not a team that will just sit back and watch as everyone else improves. Whether they win the title or not, we can expect them to make some changes over the summer and do whatever they can to perfect their roster to keep the success going.
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