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OKC Thunder: 3 players most impacted by Kemba Walker trade

By Mark Nilon

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 25: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets in Game Two of the First Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on May 25, 2021 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. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 25: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets in Game Two of the First Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on May 25, 2021 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. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

OKC Thunder player No. 2) Theo Maledon

Theo Maledon was a pleasant surprise during his 2020-21 rookie campaign.

The 34th pick in last year’s NBA Draft, Maledon wound up becoming the full-time starting point guard for the OKC Thunder after just 16 games and, in this role, wound up posting solid per-game averages of 11.4 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds on 34 percent shooting from deep.

Now, while this production compared to his draft spot was rather impressive, there were many who believed that come next season, the french-born baller was the starter for Oklahoma City that needs to be replaced. 

With Kemba Walker now in tow, you better believe that this goal is already well on its way towards being accomplished.

Yes, the Thunder now hold the rights to three separate first-round picks in this upcoming draft and could, in theory, land a top-tier spot on the night themselves and take a guard such as Cade Cunningham and Jalen Suggs, who could come in and start for the franchise right from day one, even over the likes of Kemba.

That said, now with the former All-Star in tow, whether they bring on one of these aforementioned prospects or not, it almost assures Maledon’s fall within the rotation from being in the running for the starting one to simply being in contention for a role player position off the pine.

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