Heat eyes Danilo Gallinari: Rumor versus best OKC Thunder deal
By Rylan Stiles
So what would be a good deal for the OKC Thunder wing?
Well, it is important to note that prior to a few hours ago, every report around this NBA Trade Deadline involving the OKC Thunder has been “They do not have to trade anyone.” or “If they are going to trade someone, it will have to be a deal that blows them away.” That is what makes the speculated trade offers so frustrating.
As of right now, the most commonly speculated deal from media and fans alike features the OKC Thunder giving up Gallo, taking on a bad contract or two, and the Miami Heat taking off the protections of their 2023 first-round pick owed to the OKC Thunder.
That by no means is a trade that “blows OKC away.” and Sam Presti rarely makes a move that makes you scratch your head in a negative light. Why would the Thunder take on a salary dump for Gallo? I know what some of you could be thinking, but wait, the Heat are also making that 2023 pick unprotected!
Well, look, the Miami Heat are set up for success. Their core features: Jimmy Butler, Bam, Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn, and Duncan Robinson. Oh yeah, they also have salary flexibility and a beautiful Miami selling point in the loaded 2021 free-agent class. I got news for you, the Miami Heat are not picking in the top 14 come 2023, which is the protection on said pick.
So for Gallinari, you can not get more than a salary dump? When Sam Presti is known for pulling rabbits out of hats? That seems…wrong. If the trade above happens, that would be an absolute F- on a letter grade scale.
Can we all agree that makes absolutely no sense? Gallo has much more value than that. So let’s ask ourselves, WWPD? What would Presti do?