5 Thunder players most likely to be traded before the deadline

No. 3: Josh Giddey

Josh Giddey isn't exactly on the trade block. The third-year point forward has shown off a dazzling array of passes and crafty layups and floaters since entering the league. He has started in all 177 games that he has played since the Thunder drafted him sixth overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, and only Cade Cunningham has averaged more assists per game than Giddey from that draft class (he is also fourth in rebounding and seventh in scoring).

To say he is a draft bust, then, is not accurate in the slightest. Giddey has proven himself an extremely talented player, and his rebounding and playmaking have been an important part of the Thunder's success over the last couple of seasons. At the same time, he is a 30.3 percent 3-point shooter for his career (33.1 percent this season, a career-high) and is best deployed with the ball in his hands. On a Thunder team that also has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace, the ball is not going to live in his hands. A poor shooter and shaky defender is not a great fit as a role player.

If there is an NBA team that would like to build around Giddey's playmaking on offense and would send the Thunder a solid return, be that a premium pick or a young rotation player at another position, the Thunder would likely think about such a deal. Giddey is beloved in the organization, not only for his pinpoint inbound passes (Giddey's nickname is the "Wizard of SLOB" or the "SideLine Out of Bounds") but his chemistry with the other players as well.

Even so, for the right return, he is the most gettable of the Thunder's core players.