VERDICT: EVEN TRADE
At first glance, this trade doesn’t look like much at all. It’s when you dig into the future of the trade that makes it look all the more impressive. At the time, the franchise was just looking to free up some cap space. This explains why they traded All-Star Rashard Lewis for only a second-round pick and some cash. Little did anyone know that trade would prove to pay off greatly for the Thunder franchise.
Days after the trade with Orlando, Presti sent the second-round pick and cash to Phoenix for veteran Kurt Thomas and first-round picks in 2008 and 2010. The Suns were hurting financially, which forced them to give up so much just for increased cap space. That 2008 pick turned into Thunder starting power forward and defensive force Serge Ibaka.
It may have seemed like such a small trade at the time, but in the big picture this move helped the Thunder acquire one of their present-day franchise cornerstones.
Next: Another Deal With Boston