Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

7 Players the Oklahoma City Thunder gave up on too soon

By Elaine Blum

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 15: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers brings the ball up court during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 15, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 15: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers brings the ball up court during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 15, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Domantas Sabonis, OKC Thunder front office mistakes
Domantas Sabonis (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

1. Domantas Sabonis

Giving up on Domantas Sabonis must be one of those decisions that still hurt after years. Sabonis flashed a certain potential in his rookie season, but the Thunder never expected him to turn into one of the best big men in the NBA. After all, he wasn’t super strong or especially athletic and only averaged 5.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and one assist in his rookie season.

Thus, the Thunder packaged Sabonis with Victor Oladipo and sent the two of them to the Pacers to land a true star in Paul George. After the trade, Sabonis’ production shot up. He doubled his point average, rebound average and assists in just his first season with the Pacers and only continued to get better in the following years.

Now, he averages 19 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists as an All-Star and centerpiece of the surging Sacramento Kings. It is his fifth straight season averaging a double-double, and he might be the best passing big man other than Nicola Jokic.

Next. Top 15 NBA Draft picks in OKC Thunder history. dark

Paul George had two good seasons with the Thunder and eventually brought the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but between Oladipo and Sabonis, they still gave up on plenty of talent right before it unfolded. Though, the team is in a much better position now, than they would have been if they kept the duo in Bricktown.

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