The OKC Thunder are trying hard to trade up in the 2021 NBA Draft, one team to keep an eye on in these discussions is the Toronto Raptors. Can the Thunder move up to get the fourth overall pick, selecting a top talent in this draft?
Can the OKC Thunder leap into the top four on Thursday?
While the Thunder remains interested in USC big man Evan Mobley, there are questions around what a package with the Cleveland Cavaliers looks like. As Locked on Cavs host Evan d’Amarell reports, the Cavs are searching for a “king’s ransom” return.
Their next best bet will be dealing with Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors. An organization that has been tossed in every rumor imaginable to this point in the offseason.
Anything from trading Pascal Siakam to the Warriors, to dealing for Ben Simmons, and seeing Kyle Lowry walk out of the door. Now, According to Jake Fischer, the Raptors and Thunder have explored swapping picks.
The Raptors have been projected to use the fourth overall pick on the favorite Jalen Suggs, but Florida State wing Scottie Barnes is not out of the question.
Barnes impressed the Raptors in workouts, and he is equally impressed with the Toronto organization. Selecting the FSU product at four might be considered a reach, though that would not deter the brave Ujiri from calling his shot.
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If the Orlando Magic do not swoop in and select Barnes with the fifth selection, a possible swap between the OKC Thunder and Raptors could be in order.
If the Thunder offer up the sixth overall pick and either a future first-round selection or the 16th overall selection it could be enough to entice the Raptors brass.
This is the same basic framework of the Luka Doncic for Trae Young package in which both organizations got the prospect they preferred and the Hawks organization picked up a future pick in the process.
This move only makes sense if Oklahoma City wishes to pair Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with Jalen Suggs, the former football player turned top-five pick in the NBA Draft, who gets to focus on hooping year around for the first time in his life. “It is scary how good I can be,” Suggs said to the NBA media on Tuesday when thinking about his new year-long occupation.