Grade the Trade: Thunder upgrade rebounding by adding a big in colossal proposal

Do the Thunder make this deal?

Jabari Smith Jr. is the quintessential modern power forward. He stands at 6-foot-11 with the size and length to defend centers but the lateral quickness to take on combo forwards. The league is trending larger and Smith is well-equipped to match that growth.

On offense, he is not much of a shot creator -- hardly an issue on the Thunder -- but he is an excellent shooter and can score with touch around the rim and in the midrange.

Playing alongside a strong rebounder in Alperen Sengun for much of the year, Smith didn't average insane rebound totals, but Estimated Plus-Minus ranked him in the 84th percentile as a defensive rebounder. Playing Smith and Holmgren together, and sliding Jalen Williams to small forward, would give the Thunder increased size, improved rebounding and still maintain that five-out system they thrive on.

The best part is that Smith just turned 21 years old and can continue to grow with this young core. He and Holmgren would give the Thunder the size to match up with teams like Minnesota and Dallas without sacrificing what makes this team great.

The cost is not prohibitive; Smith will replace Jaylin Williams as the backup 5 when the games truly matter, and Josh Giddey has proven to be a poor fit with this roster in the playoffs. The two picks are two fewer picks they can use in another trade, but they have a deep warchest of them, and this deal preserves their cap space to sign a difference-maker at another position.

The one real downside is the cost down the line, as Smith will be in line for a major pay increase exactly when Holmgren and Jalen Williams are. If the Thunder are in the NBA Finals each year they will pay the piper and find their way through; if they aren't, then Smith will almost certainly have enough value around the league to be moved before his payday.

This deal doesn't land a star, and it doesn't land a truly elite rebounder, but in adding size and youth while preserving their offensive approach and overall skill level they would be making a winning deal.

Grade: A