Thunderous Intentions
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OKC Thunder: 2 multi-team James Harden blockbusters

By Mark Nilon

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 02: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 02, 2020 in New York City. 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. New York Knicks defeated the Houston Rockets 125-123. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 02: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 02, 2020 in New York City. 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. New York Knicks defeated the Houston Rockets 125-123. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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The OKC Thunder have made a plethora of moves this offseason. Throughout the year, we project this trend to continue, and they could even get involved in the James Harden sweepstakes.

This offseason, the OKC Thunder have been busier than any other team in NBA history, according to Jared Dubin of FiveThirtyEight.

Starting with the parting of ways between the franchise and Head Coach Billy Donovan, the article would then go on to the focus of the Thunder’s offseason which, of course, was in the trade department.

"First, Presti sent reserve guard Dennis Schröder (himself acquired in a deal meant to salary-dump Carmelo Anthony back in 2018) to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for sharpshooter Danny Green and the No. 28 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.1 The next day, the Thunder shipped Chris Paul and Abdel Nader to the Phoenix Suns, receiving Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque and a (protected) 2022 first-round pick in return. The Paul trade came together two days before the draft, but Presti was just getting started. The day of the draft, the Thunder made two more trades: They spun Rubio, along with the Nos. 25 and 28 picks in the draft, to the Minnesota Timberwolves, receiving the No. 17 overall pick (used on Aleksej Pokuševski) and James Johnson in return.2 (And remember, the No. 28 pick had just been acquired in the Schröder deal.) Plus, they flipped Green and Terrance Ferguson over to Philadelphia, receiving Al Horford, the No. 34 overall pick (used on Theo Maledon), a lightly protected 2025 first-round pick and the draft rights to Serbian guard Vasilije Micić from the 76ers. During the draft, they sent the rights to the No. 53 overall pick (Cassius Winston) and a 2024 second-rounder to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Admiral Schofield and the rights to No. 37 overall pick Vit Krejčí. Got all that? Good, because we’re not done. The day after the draft, the Thunder sent Oubre to the Golden State Warriors, receiving a top-20 protected first-round pick for their troubles. They also acquired Vincent Poirier and cash considerations from the Celtics in exchange for a conditional future second-round pick.3"

Dubin would go on for a lot longer, of course, as Sam Presti and co. were wheeling and dealing for a total of 11 trades — above was merely a taste of how busy they’ve been.

Though the offseason is about to come to its end tomorrow, as the NBA’s regular season will officially tip-off, OKC’s trade frenzy is likely to follow them into the year, as the team has a few players in George Hill, Al Horford, and Trevor Ariza that many believe could be flipped for more desirable assets.

A great idea for the franchise would be to serve as the third team in any James Harden-based trade, as they could help make the money work while also bringing on more assets that better serve their rebuild movement.

Today, we will be discussing two blockbuster 3-team deals involving the OKC Thunder that helps Harden get out of Houston:

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