OKC Thunder: B/R sees one way to make team a free agent destination

The OKC Thunder have never been known as a top-tier free agent destination, but Bleacher Report sees one way in which they can be.

After reaching the postseason in 10 of the past 11 seasons, the OKC Thunder come into 2020-21 fully intending to end their winning ways, as the tankathon for the top spot in next year’s draft comes underway.

After trading virtually every contributor that helped the team surprise the world in 2019-20 and nab the 5th seed in the Western Conference standings this offseason, Sam Presti and co. have managed to acquire a plethora of future assets to help aid in their desired rebuild.

A big reason as to why they wish to focus their attention on the draft is to attempt to replicate or come close to their past successes of landing 3-future league MVPs in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden by these means.

For small-market teams like Oklahoma City, typically the most likely way to land a star is via the draft or trade — something they may have already in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander –, as they are rarely seen as top-tier free agent destinations like the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Boston Celtics are.

However, just because this is the norm, it doesn’t mean that things can’t change on this front.

According to Bleacher Report, there is one way in which the OKC Thunder, specifically, could make themselves a premier destination for future free agents as soon as this coming offseason: trade some of their draft capital for already established studs.

Writer Greg Swartz went on to say the franchise has the salary space to bring on any number of free agents in 2021 but will need to acquire some more attractive talents in the meantime if they wish to draw in anyone substantial:

"The Thunder could have over $50 million in cap space in 2021 after trading Chris Paul and already have a franchise star to recruit with in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. That’s a great start for any small-market team.There’s no way OKC makes it back to the playoffs after gutting the roster. Al Horford, George Hill and Trevor Ariza are all past their primes, and 2020 first-round pick Aleksej Pokusevski could take years to develop. If the Thunder want to be players in the free-agent market, they’ll need to cash in on their most valuable assets: all those juicy picks.Swapping out a number of those first-rounders now for talent (young or established) would make Oklahoma City a far more attractive destination."

As we mentioned earlier, what OKC currently has on their side in regard to attractive pieces is SGA. However, outside of him, the roster is filled with veteran players the front office is trying to flip or still-developing prospects.

Should they manage to trade some of their capital for the likes of, say, John Collins, Aaron Gordon, or any other young, promising, and seemingly available talents, it could make the franchise that much more appealing for players on the open market and, in turn, could help them be a player in free agency should they wish to be so.