OKC Thunder: 2 potential trades to acquire John Collins

Final Thoughts:

Both trade options were suggested with the view of delivering what each squad needs to meet their goals this season.

I purposely avoided including any of the young core who Presti will be keen to keep as part of the future foundation and I avoided sending both George Hill and Al Horford in the same deal.

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The latter decision was made because it then allows Presti the option of trading one of his vets in a separate deal akin to what he’s become famous for — swapping a vet to a team in need of specific assets for draft picks.

As for the draft picks, again, the ones sent were only in years where the Thunder hold multiple picks and not from either of the next two seasons.

This move to grab Collins is viewed with positivity based on his skill set and how he fits the current iteration of the Thunder. Trading Horford (more so than Hill) likely equates to additional losses in the short term even with Collins. But, if the OKC lands the top draft pick or one of the top five they’ll have taken a big step in short order and still have ample salary room to add quality vets.

Given how well each of Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari, George Hill, and Al Horford have fared in OKC that also an area Presti has demonstrated adeptness.

This season has proven big men are still very much a necessity. Scan the 16 teams currently seeded and at least 11 have bigs who impact winning or form a top duo/trio.

Positionless ball may be the wave of the future but OKC will still need a big man and there simply isn’t a lot of young talented bigs available. That’s why Intentions believes John Collins is a talent the OKC Thunder should eagerly pursue.