OKC Thunder: 3 potential franchise building blocks to trade for

OKC Thunder trade target No. 2) Marvin Bagley

We here at TI have brought up the idea of the OKC Thunder pursuing Marvin Bagley a few times in the past and now, as the deadline approaches, we still feel the same way — he’s worth a buy-low pursuit.

After dropping 21 points and 11.1 rebounds per game on 61 percent shooting from the floor and 40 percent shooting from deep during his one-and-done season with the Duke Blue Devils back in 2017-18, the big man has been wallowing away on the dysfunctional Sacramento Kings throughout the last three seasons.

Now, in 2020-21, we still find the franchise underusing Bagley despite his young age, only using him for less than 25 minutes a night.

Despite this lack of playing time for a traditional No. 2 overall pick, however, the big has still managed to put up solid averages of 13 points and 7.5 rebounds on 48 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent shooting from deep this season.

From rumors suggesting the Kings could be open to listening to offers to Bagley’s own father taking to Twitter to plead with the organization to trade his son, the idea Sacramento could part ways with the third-year pro is not so far fetched and, as we approach the deadline, Oklahoma City should strongly consider inquiring about him.

As fans are well aware at this point, the Thunder do a fantastic job with developing their young players — examples include Isaiah Roby, Kenrich Williams, and Hamidou Diallo.

Though the fact that Bagley was chosen ahead of the likes of Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be quite perplexing at this juncture in time, perhaps there’s actual logic behind this madness.

With this, should he be put in the right environment and surrounded by the right developmental team, perhaps his full potential could find it’s way onto the hardwood.