3 Just-traded players the Thunder should have snagged themselves

No. 1: Grant Williams

There is an interesting dilemma for teams with an extremely strong team culture, with stars taking on healthy leadership roles and the entire roster pulling in the same direction. Do you work hard to only add positive players to maintain that culture, or do you trust in its potency to bring in more questionable players and let them be drawn in?

Grant Williams was not prioritized by the Boston Celtics this past offseason despite his role as a crucial player and a multitude of examples stepping up in the playoffs. They let the Dallas Mavericks work out a sign-and-trade for him in what appeared to be a financially-motivated decision.

Williams' time in Dallas was not successful, however, and he reportedly clashed repeatedly with his teammates. The Mavericks were so committed to getting him off of their team that they sent Williams and a first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for P.J. Washington, a player both more expensive and not necessarily better than Williams.

The Thunder have an impeccable team culture. Would it make sense for them to risk that in order to bring in a player like Grant Williams? The fifth-year forward is a 37.9 percent 3-point shooter for his career while being able to guard all three frontcourt position. His weight and strength inside would allow the Thunder to put Williams on larger centers such as Nikola Jokic and leave Chet Holmgren free to roam on the weakside, all while not sacrificing the team's spacing.

Williams was essentially dumped by the Mavericks, so it would not have taken much to bring him in. He is on a bargain deal, is just 25 years old and has plenty of playoff experience. Would he be worth the risk? It's a complicated question, but most likely the answer is yes.