OKC Thunder: The hidden benefits of the Derrick Favors trade
The OKC Thunder had a very busy 24 hour period which started with the NBA draft and ended with a trade involving Derrick Favors and the Utah Jazz. While many people question the moves that Sam Presti makes, very few of them do not work out.
The Thunder surprised the NBA by selecting Australian Josh Giddey with the sixth pick of the 2021 NBA draft. When Scottie Barnes was taken by the Toronto Raptors, They left a consensus top-five pick Jonathan Kuminga on the board but the Thunder likes the look of the young Aussie.
They also picked Tre Mann at No. 17, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl at No. 32, and Aaron Wiggins at pick No. 55. However, the best move that they made for short-term gains was the trade with the Jazz which netted them Favors and a future first-round pick for the cost of only a future second-round pick.
How the OKC Thunder benefit from the Derrick Favors trade.
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The first benefit of the Thunder is that they have found their starting center for the season. Favors has been used mainly in a bench role for the Jazz as they have the two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, in the starting lineup.
However, the benefits for the Thunder do not stop at getting an experienced veteran as their starting pivot. They also get another mentor for Isaiah Roby, Darius Bazley, Aleksej Pokusevski, and Robinson-Earl to learn from.
The Thunder also gets another future first-round pick with Favors, all for the cost of a future second-round pick. The Thunder are continuing to add to their war chest in the next four or five upcoming drafts
This is Sam Presti working his magic again, helping another team get under the luxury tax apron. The Jazz needed to do in order to sign Mike Conley amongst other players for next season. He is able to seize on any opportunity to benefit his team
Next. OKC Thunder select Tre Mann with the 18th pick. dark
However, the Thunder might only have Favors on their books for a single season. He has a player option for $10.1 million in the final year of his deal. He is unlikely to exercise this option as he is going to want to compete for a championship as he enters the back end of his career.