Roundtable sessions – How the OKC Thunder capitalize on trades to return to prominence
How many players get traded this season?
Tamberlyn Richardson:
A brutal opening schedule coupled with a rough start could add fuel to a pending fire sale or what Sam Presti has refused to call a rebuild – – yet. Conversely, if the Thunder makes it through 20 games within striking distance the GM will have more leverage. Much more!
Presti isn’t historically an active trade deadline GM, but we’re talking a whole new era now. At minimum Gallinari gets jettisoned to the contender with the best return package. Paul will go if Presti can make it work without giving up assets or draft picks (or at worst, takes on a few expiring deals for financial flexibility).
The question is whether the Thunder GM takes the opportunity to upgrade the likes of Dennis Schroder with the perfectly aged backcourt partner to 21-year old Gilgeous-Alexander. The key to remember is, as Presti forms his new core he’ll have a specific competitive window in mind.
Rylan Stiles:
One OKC Thunder player gets traded this year (Gallinari), I think there is no one who wants to make a move for CP3 until the offseason when teams get desperate without a big fish in the 2020 free agent pool. Steven Adams stays put, and the rest of the young players develop in Bricktown.
Noah Schulte:
Three: Dennis Schroder, Gallo, and Mike Muscala. Even though Schroder seems young, he’s 26 years old now and his fit with the Thunder is somewhat odd. With CP3 and Shai – rightfully – taking up most of the oxygen, he’s not going to get nearly as many opportunities as he’s gotten in the past. It’s only a matter of time before he wants out. My rationale regarding Gallinari is explained both in the previous and forthcoming responses. I’m putting Muscala here entirely because I forgot he was on the roster and, as such, I don’t see him hanging around OKC for that long.
Aidan E:
I am predicting two players get traded this year. Gallinari is the obvious candidate that everybody has been saying, he’s a very good player and the Thunder have no need for him and his expiring contract.
The other player I think that will be gone this year is Dennis Schroder. Schroder currently doesn’t fit anywhere on the roster due to the Thunder having SGA and Chris Paul as their likely backcourt. In addition to that, this year’s draft class is loaded with lead guard talent and I know it’s too early to predict, but if the Thunder end up with another guard, Schroder for sure has no point of being on this roster.
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Matthew Hallet:
Presti is not done with his magic rebuilding wand. I think three players will be traded, but as to who is traded, this depends on how the chips fall so to speak. If Paul is traded first, then the Thunder will definitely want to keep Adams as he is going to have a monster year and his numbers will show why he was signed to such a big deal. If Paul can’t be moved then there is a good chance that Adams will be sent to a contender.
Gallinari is almost guaranteed to be traded prior to the deadline. His shooting, size and his expiring contract make him an extremely enticing prospect to a contending team.
Andre Roberson is also a good chance of being traded. This will all depend on how he comes back from his injury. If he can still lock people up, any contending team looking to shore up their defense will be looking at Roberson’s expiring contract as well.
Kevon Stewart:
One of the first moves I’d make is to trade Mike Muscala for Skal Labissiere.
Terrance Ferguson and Deonte Burton for Ersan Ilyasova and Robin Lopez would beef up the secondary frontcourt and provide great versatility for the team.
Chris Paul is a priority trade if you can’t move him for young talent and picks, the goal should be to get comparable talent.
Gallinari is also a player who I don’t see with OKC by the end of the season. I see him ending up in Boston in return for Jalen Brown and other pieces. We’ll see if Boston is willing to part ways with him, but I think its an ideal trade for both teams. If not there are other options.
Tyler Barger:
Steven Adams, he’s the big piece left. His contract was ridiculous and unloading that contract would actually indicate it’s full rebuild time. Dennis Schroeder could be moved too.