Though the OKC Thunder have shown that the slow and steady approach can, in fact, put them in a position to "win the race", there are still those who want to see the franchise hit the hyperdrive button on their championship-hopeful trajectory.
Just recently, Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report penned a piece highlighting three specific players each team across the association should have on their trade wish list heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
For the Thunder, the seasoned writer headlined their list with the likes of LA Clippers star, Kawhi Leonard, a player who has proven capable throughout his career of succeeding both individually and within a collective what with his Hall of Fame-worthy resume that includes six All-Star nods, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and two NBA Championships, both seeing him win MVP.
The concept of adding someone of his ilk and experience to a young title-hopeful like Oklahoma City could prove to be incredibly beneficial right from the jump if all managed to go right.
In truth, the vast majority of the club's core saw their first sniff of playoff action just last season, so bringing on a guy like Kawhi who has a slew of deep runs under his belt could immediately help thrust them toward a championship.
However, the goal for this team should not just be to win one title this coming year but, instead, several over the years to come.
Trading for Leonard could cripple these lofty, yet very realistic aspirations.
Potential Kawhi Leonard trade could prevent OKC Thunder dynasty
The argument being made in the piece is that, though the concept of striking a deal for the Clippers superstar may be seen as "ambitious" on the surface, the Thunder have the kind of "assets to land a big fish" in a blockbuster deal and possess "the specific draft equity that should interest" Los Angeles to get it done.
While this point may be true, it doesn't automatically mean that a trade of this magnitude should be sought after, as the NBA rarely allows for simplistic, cookie-cutter exchanges to take place.
Sure, OKC could rather easily piece together an outbound package that would be enticing enough for the Clippers to accept, especially if projections are correct and they wind up heading toward yet another lost season, but the main thing for the organization to consider in any future dealings is the inbound aspect of the ordeal.
Along with his impressive career averages of 20.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.7 steals on 49.9 percent shooting and 39.1 percent shooting from deep, Kawhi would bring substantial injury risks that have limited him to no more than two seasons in his 14-year career where he's played in over 68 games and four times over the last five years where he's played in sub-60-games.
Leonard's also attached to a lucrative ascending pay scale that will pay him more than $50 million in his final season under contract.
Not only would his sixth-highest salary of $49.2 million heading into this season be a huge add to their books in 2024-25, but the $149.5 million total owed to him through 2026-27 would be a major headache for the Thunder to deal with considering rookie extensions for Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are right around the corner and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could soon ink a ridiculous, though deserved $293.4 million contract.
Adding Leonard into this mix could be financially debilitating for the organization, especially with the dreaded tax apron becoming more prevalent in 2020s basketball, and could cost them the flexibility to construct the kind of team necessary for them to become the league's next great dynasty, as the future first-round draft capital that would likely be sent LA-bound will provide them cheap and easy ways to flesh out the roster moving forward.
To Hughes, such a mega move "could solidify OKC as a title favorite" though, as things currently stand with how they're assembled, the Thunder are already viewed in such a light as they have the second-best odds of winning it all behind only the reigning champs themselves in the Boston Celtics.
Frankly, it goes without question that a player of Kawhi Leonard's ilk is enough to help thrust a promising team into the legitimate title-contender conversation.
However, when it comes to Oklahoma City, they're currently there without his presence, and adding his financial burdens, unpredictable availability, and the commanding role he'd likely warrant could end up bringing more stress than success on their quest for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.