The Oklahoma City Thunder used the 2023-24 NBA season to earn entry into the association's elite tier.
However, their loss to the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the second round suggests that this roster does not have enough players to compete for the title.
Considering the overall age of this group, more time and development could close that gap, but Oklahoma City probably isn't willing to wait that long. Or maybe this front office isn't entirely convinced that seasoning is the only thing missing from this championship recipe.
With the league's strongest collection of assets at their disposal, the Thunder could be a major player on the trade market this summer if they choose to pursue that path. If they are looking for an outside upgrade, all three players below could provide that.
The Wizards didn't get a lot of attention this season after losing 67 games, but those who were paying attention to the division definitely took note of Deni Avdija's best campaign to date.
The 23-year-old has led largely unknown NBA presences so far (beyond the No. 9 pick in 2020), impressing with his defense but raising big, big questions about his offensive prospects. Ta. This season, he hasn't completely silenced that skepticism, but he's kept his silence as long as he can.
His season-long performance was essentially a string of personal bests, including 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, and his play late in the game suggested he could reach even higher numbers in the future. Post-All-Star, he averaged 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, and seven of the eight times he scored 24 points or more came between February and April.
He's made enough progress to cast some doubt on Washington's desire to trade him, but if there's any team that could start the conversation, it's one with as many draft picks as Oklahoma City. . If the Thunder are considering parting ways with Josh Guidi, Avdija can help fill the playmaking hole he leaves while also providing significantly better defense and play in the less glamorous late stages of games. It could offer more versatility.
It's a little difficult to create a hypothetical wish list because the Thunder don't have a lot of downsides. But if they have the option of an additional player, a two-way wing with good size and length might be their preference.
That's Mikal Bridges. He's not very big (6'6″, 209 lbs), but his expansive wingspan (7'1″) allows him to trouble even the best big wing scorers. Despite carrying a heavy offensive load in Brooklyn, he was energetic enough defensively to have an estimated defensive plus/minus in the 80th percentile, according to Dunks & Threes. Ta.
Now, imagine what he can do when not carrying the offensive burden. Actually, you don't have to imagine it. Let's go back and look at what he did with the Phoenix Suns in 2021-22, when three players were above him in the scoring rankings. Bridges improved on defense, earning him a spot on the All-Defensive First Team and finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
It's the best version of Bridges, a thoroughly dominant defender who competently handles tertiary scoring duties and takes catch-and-shoot opportunities. That's also the role he could play in Oklahoma City, where he'll likely be anchored behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylen Williams (and possibly Chet Holmgren) in the offensive pecking order. Bridges could be a subjectively great player in a support role, at least for the Thunder, who have enough draft picks to make the Nets consider letting him go.
To be clear, there is no indication that Utah has any interest in trading Lauri Markkanen. But if there's anyone who can convince the Jazz to soften their stance, it's the Thunder, who have the ability to pile up picks and prospects in forward-looking trade packages.
Now, getting Utah's attention could cost a lot of money.As The Athletic tony jones In other words, “an offer that probably won't lure him away from the Jazz will be needed.”
That sounds creepy to almost everyone. Oklahoma City may be the only exception. Even if it takes a few draft picks to get Utah into the conversation, that's a price this franchise is willing to pay.
And Markkanen certainly seems worth the splurge. He would check almost every box on the Thunder's wish list, including size (7'0″, 240 pounds), scoring (23.2 points per game), and rebounding (8.2 points), even if he went to the Sooner State. Even if the transfer affected his performance, with volume, it might increase his efficiency and improve his defensive effort (which is already pretty great). If Markkanen stays as fit in practice, a trade for Markkanen could be the finishing touch for the Thunder.
