OKC Thunder: 3 trades to acquire more draft picks

OKC Thunder center Al Horford (42) reacts after scoring : Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
OKC Thunder center Al Horford (42) reacts after scoring : Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports /
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OKC Thunder guard George Hill (3) dribbles the ball up court against the Nuggets : Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

OKC Thunder – The Draft Pick Hunter, Deal No. 2:   Hill, Muscala to Memphis

The draft pick that the Thunder would love to get their hands on is the Minnesota Timberwolves pick that currently resides in Golden State (Top 3 protected). Unfortunately, the Dubs aren’t giving that pick up for anything less than an established young asset.

So, I scoured teams draft capital again and found another enticing option.  The Memphis Grizzlies got to the precipice of the mountain last season and fell just short of starting their ascent.

As of today, the Grizzlies reside in the 10th seed, a half-game out of ninth and within striking distance of several of the lower-tier seeds.

They are one of the best road teams and expect to get back their second young star Jaren Jackson Jr. soon.

What Memphis needs most is 3-point shooting as well as more veteran voices. In one fell swoop, they check off all those boxes with the addition of George Hill and Mike Muscala. Each would provide solid veteran leadership for this young core.

More importantly, the duo would address the biggest issue on the Grizzlies which is perimeter shooting. The Grizzlies rank 26th in perimeter efficiency and 29th in made 3-pointers.

By adding Hill (38.6%) and Muscala (37.0%) the Grizz get quality 3-point shooters and more importantly they get players who shoot a number of 3-pointers.  Hill takes 4.1 and Muscala 5.3 attempts per game. Muscala is also happy to fulfill a reserve role and come off the bench cold but still net the buckets. Dillon Brooks is the only Grizzly who attempts more than five 3-pointers per game.

Undoubtedly, the Grizz would love to get off that Gorgui Dieng contract so this serves as a way to improve their team and meet financial needs as well.

For those who might balk at the Grizz giving up the Utah Jazz, they hold for this season the important factor here is that pick is HEAVILY protected (1-7 and 15-30 in 2021). That means it likely won’t convey this year given Utah’s current seeding. In 2022 it’s protected 1-6, in 2023 protected 1-3, and just for first in 2024. The Jazz is committed to contending now, a fact punctuated by signing both Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert as their core talents of the future.

The Grizzlies’ timeline to compete was moved up with the quick ascent of Ja Morant and Jackson Jr. with the goal of returning and being a factor in the postseason.  The Grizzlies have a virtual treasure trove of youthful talents aside from their two young stars such as Brandon Clarke, Tyus Jones, Desmond Bane, Grayson Allen, etc.

Therefore, adding two meaningful contributors to help them accomplish their postseason goal right now makes more sense for them than a pick that is likely to be a late first-round selection.

Conversely, the Thunder have taken the long-term view in their rebuild so they’ll be happy to take any pick in the first round. Presti has already proven how adept he is with late first-round, or second-round selections and even players not drafted. Suffice to say the Thunder aren’t picky about where the selection falls — Presti will make the most of it.

As for, Dieng his contract ends in the offseason and OKC will have the room to fit it in this season without it affecting them in luxury tax.