Grade the Trade: Thunder idea swaps Giddey for versatile 23-year-old power forward

Laying out the trade

Since being eliminated from this year's postseason, rumors have been surfacing that suggest the Thunder could be open to parting ways with starting guard, Josh Giddey.

Though he may have put forth a rather underwhelming campaign in 2023-24 where he posted 12.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists on 47.5 percent from the field, at just 21 years old and boasting a floor general's skillset in a forward's body (6-foot-8, 216 pounds) there's still plenty to like about the soon-to-be fourth-year pro.

On a team that's in complete shambles like the Wizards (15-67) who could use a point guard and, frankly, a little bit of everything else, adding the former lottery pick could be a way for them to address the game's most important position, and, being he'll be entering the final year of his rookie-scale deal, they'd have the upper hand in re-signing him should they so choose or, if all else fails, allow him to walk and have them clear up salary space in the process.

In exchange for his services, the Thunder should by no means sell short on the upside that a guy like Giddey possesses when in the right situation. In a hypothetical exchange with Washington, Presti should look to swing for the fences, and that would come via pursuit of Deni Avija with an offer like this:

On top of Giddey, the rebuilding Wizards would also receive Oklahoma City's 2022 lottery pick Ousmane Dieng as a way to add more potential and youth to the vacated power forward position with Avidja Loud City bound as well as a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

The assets being sent out to the nation's capital are all things a rebuilding ball club covets, which would likely strengthen the odds of Washington agreeing to strike on such an exchange.

Assuming GM Will Dawkins accepts these terms, what should the Thunder's thoughts be on the whole ordeal?