A calm deadline is a success for the OKC Thunder
By Rylan Stiles
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been playing fantastic basketball since the start of December. In January alone, the OKC Thunder are 9-4 with a game against the Golden State Warriors.
As we sit ten days from the NBA Trade Deadline, everyone feverishly refreshes Twitter and hangs on to every rumor that leaks out. This season it is mainly waiting to see how low the bar can go for a team to request a First Round pick in return (note: So far, it is the Hornets asking for a first-round selection for Mason Plumlee).
While some of the scuttlebutt has gotten Oklahoma City Thunder fans riled up, like the famous mystery team who offered three first-round picks for Toronto Raptors wing OG Anunoby, fans have surprisingly remained patient. Rightfully so.
Despite their recent success, the OKC Thunder should remain calm during the 2023 NBA Draft Tradeline.
While the Oklahoma City Thunder currently sit a half-game out of the NBA Play-in tournament, a game out of the 6th seed, and just two games back from home-court advantage for a first-round playoff series, it is essential to remain patient.
OKC Thunder General Manager Sam Presti has preached patience during this rebuild, citing that the Thunder are “not in a race against time.” That mentality has carried over into this season despite their recent winning ways.
The Bricktown boys still have not seen their prized second-overall pick Chet Holmgren grace the hardwood yet, and their roster remains the youngest in the NBA and second most youthful of all time, only ahead of last season’s Thunder squad.
While Oklahoma City lacks an actual big this season, especially with Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Aleksej Pokusevski on the shelf for an extended period, they still are not in a position to make an All-in move this season.
So what could happen at this NBA Trade Deadline?