Thunderous Intentions
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B/R believes OKC Thunder will steer into tank at deadline

ByMark Nilon|
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 24: George Hill #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the third quarter at Staples Center on January 24, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Clippers won 108-100. 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. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 24: George Hill #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the third quarter at Staples Center on January 24, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Clippers won 108-100. 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. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

The OKC Thunder are 1-1 in this current second-half restart, but the consensus thought process is that, once the March 25th NBA Trade Deadline arrives, the franchise will have steered itself more into a tank mindset.

Sam Presti already got the ball rolling with such a maneuver earlier in the week, as he sent off third-year wing Hamidou Diallo to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and a 2027 second-round pick.

Now, with a little over a week to go before the deadline, one can expect this Oklahoma City front office to make a few more moves to better equip them for their current rebuild.

Bleacher Report believes OKC Thunder will be all about the picks at the Deadline

Though we at TI have many different ideas about what the OKC Thunder will end up doing by March 25th, ultimately we believe they are in a prime position to make a myriad of different dealings.

Recently, Bleacher Report discussed their prediction for the Thunder at this year’s deadline, and, ultimately, they are under the impression that Presti will continue the trend he’s been setting over the past two years now — continue to stockpile draft picks.

"… Presti will keep populating NBA contenders with impact additions for as many picks as he can get.George Hill is the most obvious trade chip as a battle-tested combo guard who can run offense, splash spot-up triples and defend either backcourt spot. Tack on that his 2021-22 salary is only partially guaranteed, and there’s a “widespread belief” he will “attract serious attention from contenders,” per Amick.It doesn’t seem out of the question that the right deadline shopper could give up something of value for Al Horford. And while Trevor Ariza hasn’t reported to the Thunder this season, his three-and-D track record might be rich enough for a contender to trade something for him now rather than hope he’d come to the team after a buyout."

Though we believe that this year’s deadline could be a perfect opportunity for the Thunder to bring on young players to perhaps help develop for the future or even utilize their bevy of TPEs to bring on budding stars to partner with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, B/R is more aligned with the idea of them simply adding more picks to their already illustrious treasure trove.

Either way, Oklahoma City appears to be in great shape moving forward.

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