Thunderous Intentions
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As OKC Thunder appear headed for a rebuild, could Russell Westbrook spark Magic in Orlando?

By Aidan E

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 15: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on from the bench during pregame warm ups prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on January 15, 2017 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 15: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on from the bench during pregame warm ups prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on January 15, 2017 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic trade partner for OKC Thunder (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

First trade option

The first trade scenario of this hypothetical deal with Orlando could revolve around the Magic young center Mo Bamba.


In this situation, the Thunder will be sending out Westbrook for a young forward in Aaron Gordon, project guard and former number one overall pick just two seasons ago in Markelle Fultz and a young, floor spacing and potential defensive monster in Mo Bamba. Bamba is stuck on the Magic bench for the foreseeable future after Nikola Vucevic agreed to a new four-year contract this offseason.

Gordon (23), could play either small forward or power forward and could provide OKC with another young piece that could be apart of OKC’s future or could be dangled as a trade piece in the future.

With Fultz (21), the Thunder gets a project guard that was the consensus number one overall pick a few years ago who could, if he ever develops, play next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the future.

Bamba (21) is easily the biggest wildcard of this trade as he was taken fifth overall in the 2017 NBA draft and has flashed offensive potential and has already shown elite shot blocking and defensive potential.

Bamba could come to the Thunder as the backup behind Steven Adams and eventually take over the role of starting center and provide a lethal Pick-and-Roll or Pick-and-Pop partner with new Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

In addition to these players coming from the Magic, OKC would shed significant salary in the third and fourth years of Westbrooks contract as Gordon is only under contract for the next two seasons, and Bamba is being paid five million over the next three seasons.

Losing Diallo would be a bummer but if OKC insists on keeping him, they could replace him and potentially add in one of the many first round picks they now have after the Paul George trade.

Or, if the Magic want more in return, OKC could keep Diallo in the deal and add in a first round pick if they deem the trade as reasonable.

Is this trade realistic?  Potentially

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I’m sure Orlando would be interested in moving Gordon because of Jonathan Isaac‘s emergence last season as well as them signing free agent forward Al-Farouq Aminu this offseason.

Fultz has seemingly lost all trade value since being the 1st overall pick a couple of years ago and makes quite a lot of money for a player that might not play next season (given the lack of updates on his injury).

It’s unclear how the Magic value Bamba given they just paid another center a lot of money, but if they still do value him as high as they did when they selected him fifth overall then adding in a pick or two could sweeten the deal for Orlando.

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