The Oklahoma City Thunder fell to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals this year. It was a disappointing end to the campaign, but the Thunder are still one season removed from a championship. However, if they fell short again next year, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could find himself in the same trade position Jayson Tatum is in this summer: Watching his teammates get thrown into trade rumors.
This summer, the Boston Celtics have been involved in plenty of trade rumors, all with the apparent goal of trying to build around Tatum. The Celtics won a championship two years ago, but they’ve fallen short in each of the past two seasons. Now, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and almost everyone outside of Tatum has been involved in trade rumors.
That’s what could happen to SGA and the Thunder next summer.
SGA could be in Jayson Tatum's position next summer
Winning in the NBA is very, very hard. That’s why there hasn’t been a duplicate champion for eight seasons now. It’s been a crazy run of parity in the association.
However, teams are also willing to do whatever it takes to win. They want to make trades and keep trying to find ways of improving their rosters in hopes of getting over the hump.
This summer’s Celtics are the perfect example. Again, Boston won a championship in 2024, but the team looks a lot different now, largely because of the new CBA and the second apron.
So, now that Giannis Antetokounmpo is available, the Celtics are reportedly interested in making a deal, and long-time franchise superstar Brown would likely be the centerpiece.
Boston wants to build out its roster around Tatum, adding as many top-notch pieces around him as it takes to win a title. So, Tatum just has to sit back and watch his teammates get thrown into rumors.
That’s what could happen to Gilgeous-Alexander next offseason. If the Thunder fail to make the Finals again – or fall short in spectacular fashion like this year’s Celtics – then lots of guys could be thrown into trade rumors.
Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams could both potentially be on the chopping block, as well as some of OKC’s role players. Losing spawns trade rumors. That’s just how it goes.
The Thunder just won a title last year, but the NBA is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ league. And lately, the Thunder lost in the Western Conference finals.
So, a year from now, anything could happen. SGA could be watching Holmgren, Williams, and his other teammates get tossed into trade rumors.
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