Proposed trade idea for OKC Thunder No. 5) OKC gets Aaron Gordon, Mo Bamba
This deal truly is one to think about if you’re Sam Presti.
Sure, we understand that the OKC Thunder are trying to set themselves up to land a top-tier draft pick for the next several seasons.
However, what if they had the opportunity to land two potential long-term young studs in the frontcourt all while giving up just one back of the draft pick (say, Miami’s in 2021) and two players they were planning on flipping ANYWAY?
That’s what some could view them getting in this proposed deal by B/R, as it would bring aboard both Aaron Gordon (25) and Mo Bamba (22).
Buckley’s reasonings read as follows:
"For OKC to bite, it would have to believe there’s more to Gordon’s game than he’s shown to date. That isn’t too big of a leap of to make, since he’s already played for five different head coaches and never had great scorers or spacers around him. The inclusion of the first-rounder would also convince Orlando to let go of Mo Bamba, who could grab the center spot and own it for years to come in the Sooner State."
Now, just recently we discussed the idea of the Thunder pursuing the likes of Bamba, with us citing his high-draft status coming into the league, size, and production when actually getting ample time on the floor as reasons for the franchise to be interested in his talents:
"Per 36 minutes, the young center saw averages of 13.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, and a whopping 3.5 blocks per game on 46 percent shooting from the floor and 35 percent shooting from deep in 2019-20. And sure, while many may suggest that per 36 averages are mere conversions and not reality — which, fine, you have a point — during the times in which Bamba actually did receive extended play during last year’s campaign, he managed to deliver. When logging 20-29 minutes in 2019-20, the former Longhorn saw averages of 10 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks a game on 52 percent shooting from the floor and an incredible 70 percent shooting from deep on 2.5 attempts."
As for Gordon, he is a high-flying, athletic power forward who has progressed into a tremendous well-rounded player a la Blake Griffin, but without the grocery list of ailments.
During the 2019-20 campaign, Gordon posted averages of 14.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game on 44 percent shooting from the floor.
Both players, still so young, could be seen as fantastic and versatile building blocks to grow with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander through the years to come if acquired.
Landing these types of talents for just the likes of Trevor Ariza, George Hill, and a low-level draft pick from a title hopeful team would simply be an absolute steal, and, at the very least, would make the Thunder’s front office second guess embarking on their expected tankathon.