Since the end of the Russell Westbrook era back in 2019, the OKC Thunder have been busy collecting an obscene amount of draft capital.
Of course, eight seasons later, Oklahoma City's efforts have seemingly shifted from an exciting hobby to a legitimate hoarding situation, as they've yet to make any substantial moves with their capital despite literally having too much to organically use on themselves.
Perhaps their recent string of injuries now presents Sam Presti and company with the perfect opportunity to buck this trend.
In the wake of Jalen Williams' dislocated left ankle/ fractured fibula and Cason Wallace's torn labrum, the championship-hopeful Thunder are now down two core starters for the foreseeable future, if not the remainder of the season.
As a result, OKC could now consider making in-season roster additions via a Disabled Player Exception (if approved) or one of their several TPEs in an attempt to make up for these crucial losses.
Should this ultimately prove to be their game plan, their absurd collection of draft picks could land them virtually any player they desire that fits within the confines of their numerous exceptions
Thunder have ability to do practically anything they want on trade market
Through the 2033 NBA Draft cycle, the Thunder find themselves in possession of 23 total picks, 10 coming in the first round and 13 in the second.
Needless to say, they have the assets necessary to entice just about any team to make a deal.
Frankly, all it comes down to is the restrictions that their exceptions come with.
Their most valuable of the bunch is the $17.7 million TPE created with this past summer's Lu Dort trade, which would allow the Thunder to acquire a player whose salary runs up to that exact mark.
Of the two possible DPEs they could receive, ESPN's Bobby Marks is projecting that the largest value they could receive would be $15.04 million.
Now, while none of these exceptions give them the opportunity to seamlessly absorb a popular trade target like, say, Trey Murphy III, whose salary rings in at $27 million this season, it still gives them a ton of other options ranging from seasoned 3&D veterans like Derrick Jones Jr. to a full-circle reunion such as with the likes of Ty Jerome.
With their ridiculous amount of draft capital, coupled with the luxury of not having to send any matching salary out in any potential deal, the Thunder truly have the ability to do virtually anything they want on the trade market this season.
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