Since their loss to San Antonio in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, it seems that everyone from keyboard warriors to prominent, highly respected pundits has been suggesting the OKC Thunder should consider making some sort of splashy move this summer to best set themselves up for another title run as soon as next season.
When it comes to such chatter, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has generally been the name floated as the ideal target for the ball club to pursue.
Marc Stein, however, is seemingly singing a slightly different tune when it comes to possible big-time swings that could be made by Oklahoma City's front office, as the NBA insider recently revealed that Sam Presti and company have had an interest in Cavaliers star Evan Mobley's talents for more than five years now.
With this in mind, it seems that everyone may have been buzzing about the wrong star forward trade target all along.
Thunder have had interest in Evan Mobley since before entering NBA
In his latest intel dump, Stein reported that the Thunder's interest in the big man "goes all the way back to the NBA Draft in 2021," and even revealed that the franchise attempted "to move up to Mobley's range" to select him themselves before Cleveland ultimately snatched him up at third overall.
Clearly, OKC's intrigue in the USC product's services proved more than warranted.
Throughout his five-year tenure, Mobley has turned himself into one of the best young tweener-bigs the association has to offer, registering career averages of 16.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks on 54.7 percent shooting from the floor while earning All-Star, All-NBA, and DPOY honors along the way.
Considering the fact that, as currently constructed, Cleveland is on track to far exceed the dreaded second-apron threshold next season, Stein is now publicly wondering whether they would be open to the idea of potentially moving on from their highest-earner ($53,8 million AAV).
Though Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman may have insisted during his end-of-season press conference that the big is "a huge part of what we do" and, in turn, is viewed as a long-term cornerstone for the club, everyone outside of a select individuals has a price-tag.
Even if it's astronomically high, with their collection of promising young players and an obscene amount of future draft capital, the Thunder are certainly well-equipped to match any asking price.
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