Over the last several years, the OKC Thunder have cultivated a collection of draft picks that would likely rival virtually any other throughout the history of the NBA. From valuable pick-swaps to flat-out unprotected rights, with these luxuries Oklahoma City has set themselves up for quite a lucrative future.
However, utilizing the picks on themselves isn't the only way they may be of service to the organization, as they have the rights to package any combination of them into some sort of outbound trade that could help their agenda in the more immediate future.
Though Sam Presti and company have proven reluctant to pursue any sizable, in-season transaction over the years, the mere idea of them doing so is something that is having a significant impact on the landscape of this year's trade season, as Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes believes such a move would "put even more distance" between themselves and the rest of the Western Conference
Thunder trading picks would have them 'seize control' of trade market'
Already, the Thunder find themselves once again reigning supreme within their respective conference standings. Through 37 games played Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company boast a top-seeded record of 31-6, an enviable six-win cushion between them and the second placed Houston Rockets (25-12).
However, despite their dominance to this point in the season, as has been seen periodically throughout, Oklahoma City still finds itself sporting some noteworthy weaknesses that it should attempt to address between now and the playoffs.
To Hughes, it seems like a no-brainer for them to do so by dangling some of their capital on the trade market, suggesting that if they "want to beat the market for Cameron Johnson or any other player who becomes available, they can."
"That's the power of having all their own future first-rounders, plus six coming in from other teams and a pair of swaps with the LA Clippers," Hughes wrote.
As specifically pinpointed in his assessment, Cameron Johnson has been a name oft seen linked to the Thunder as an ideal target to pursue before February 6, as he's a remarkable long-range shooter (cashing home on 43.6 percent from distance this season) and overall offensive weapon (averaging 19.5 points per game), which are attributes Mark Daigneault's club desperately needs more of.
However, there are plenty of other quality names rumored to be available on the block who, with or without the Nets forward, should be high on their radar.
While Hughes made the case that "it's hard to argue" that the Thunder have made a mistake of holding onto their treasure trove of picks for this long, as they're coming off a historic season and, at the moment, are on pace for a similar outcome, now may be the time to finally tap into their asset chest.