A New Look Rotation for the OKC Thunder post trade deadline

The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded Mike Muscala to the Boston Celtics and former-first-round pick Darius Bazley to the Phoenix Suns as their lone two moves of the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline. The OKC Thunder received Justin Jackson (who is reportedly getting waived), Dario Saric (who looks to be sticking around for the remainder of the season), and three second-round picks.

Now, the roster looks a little different for the final 28 games of the 2022-23 NBA regular season. The OKC Thunder sit at 26-28, a half-game back of the NBA Play-in tournament.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded away Mike Muscala and Darius Bazley; what does the OKC Thunder rotation look like post-NBA Trade Deadline?

Before diving into what this rotation looks like, what does this roster look like for Oklahoma City?

Guards (6): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Lu Dort, Tre Mann, Isaiah Joe, Lindy Waters III (two-way deal)

Forwards (5): Aaron Wiggins, Ousmane Dieng, Jalen Williams, Kenrich Williams, Eugene Omoruyi (Two-way deal)

Centers (5): Chet Holmgren (out for the season), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Jaylin Williams, Dario Saric, Aleksej Pokusevski.

Reportedly being waived: Justin Jackson (forward), which would leave one roster spot available for Oklahoma City moving forward.

Expiring contracts: Dario Saric

With the Oklahoma City Thunder in the thick of things for now in the Western Conference standings, let’s project Mark Daigneault’s depth chart once these trades go through and Dario Saric joins the team.

Depth chart:

Point Guard: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander/Tre Mann (plus staggering the minutes of SGA and Josh Giddey)

Shooting Guard: Josh Giddey/Isaiah Joe/Lindy Waters III

Small Forward: Lu Dort/Aaron Wiggins/Ousmane Dieng

Power Forward: Jalen Williams/Kenrich Williams/Eugene Omoruyi

Centers: Jaylin Williams/Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (when healthy)/Aleksej Pokusevski (when healthy)/Dario Saric

Best Rotation:

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
2. Josh Giddey
3. Lu Dort
4. Jalen Williams
5. Jaylin Williams
6. Kenrich Williams
7. Isaiah Joe
8. Aaron Wiggins
9. Aleksej Pokusevski
10. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
11. Dario Saric

Still need to find some minutes: 

1. Ousmane Dieng
2. Tre Mann

It is clear life will not be easy on the Oklahoma City Thunder bench boss as Mark Daigneault will have to manage this roster and pick his spots on what lineups to deploy and balance developmental and exploration minutes with their best rotation. That is not a job I envy and a clear reason as to why Sam Presti was comfortable moving Mike Muscala.