Potential landing spots for most desirable Thunder trade assets

Over the years, the OKC Thunder have acquired a ton of valuable assets thanks to GM Sam Presti's elite decision-making and wheeling and dealing ways.

From rostering star and rising-stud players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren to their ownership of a total of 13 first-round picks through 2028, this Oklahoma City squad is chock-full of assets that opposing teams would immediately jump at the opportunity to acquire if they ever were to be made available.

While there are many Thunder commodities that, at this point, are unquestionably off-limits when it comes to hypothetical trade talks (all three of the players mentioned above, for example), there are a number of others that could realistically be had for the right price.

Recently, Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report went about and constructed a list of the three most desirable trade assets currently in OKC's possession, and, though no credible reports or rumblings are suggesting they are even considered to be available at this time, there are several ball clubs scattered around the league that could prove to be realistic landing spots for them if they ever were.

Potential destinations for most desirable Thunder trade assets

Los Angeles Clippers' draft picks

Thanks to the famous Paul George blockbuster executed back in 2019, between now and the 2027 NBA Draft, Oklahoma City finds itself holding ownership over the rights to three of the LA Clippers' first-round selections, two being pick swaps in both 2025 and 2027 and one being completely unprotected in 2026.

Though Los Angeles is coming off a playoff-clinching, 51-win campaign and is currently viewed as a betting favorite to claim a top-eight seed in the west standings once again this coming season, considering the recent departure of George this summer (signed with Philadelphia in free agency) coupled with the serious health concerns of their remaining core players in Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, they are far from a lock to accomplish such a feat.

We've already seen this same team implode back during the 2021-22 season when they failed to qualify for a playoff berth and, ultimately, were forced to cough up their lottery pick to the Thunder (as part of the 2019 blockbuster mentioned earlier), which ended up becoming Jalen Williams.

Because of this, the value of these draft rights is extremely polarizing, for it could realistically fall anywhere from the No. 30 overall selection to the top-pick on the board.

As a result, the teams that would be the most interested in taking a gamble on trading for these selections are likely those looking to either start from scratch via rebuild or continue stockpiling young talents while embarking on a youth-movement.

Potential landing spots: Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers

Cason Wallace

Selected 10 overall during last year's NBA Draft, Cason Wallace came into the association projected to be a sturdy perimeter stopper on defense as well as a reliable playmaker and shooter on offense.

In 82 games played during his debut campaign with the Thunder, the 20-year-old proved these expectations correct, as he established himself as a regular two-way piece within coach Mark Daigneault's rotation en route to an All-Rookie team selection.

As Swartz correctly acknowledged in his piece, Wallace has already proven himself to be "one of the better on-ball defenders in the NBA," a sentiment that was only further strengthened during the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

In 20.6 minutes a night, the former Kentucky standout posted impressive averages of 6.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 49.1 percent from the floor and 41.9 percent from distance.

Though his 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame may leave a bit to be desired -- especially during this position-less era of basketball --, Cason Wallace has the makings of being a legitimate 3-and-D backcourt nightmare in the association and has even shown flashes reminiscent of All-Star guard for the Boston Celtics, Jrue Holiday.

Potential landing spots: Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz

Luguentz Dort

Though fans and even some NBA pundits may not understand just how good of a player Luguentz Dort is, the rest of the league is certainly aware. Because of this, it makes complete sense why he's labeled one of Oklahoma City's most "desirable" trade assets.

Arguably the game's most underrated defender, Dort is coming off yet another sensational season on the less glamorous side of the ball where he registered a career-high in defensive win-shares and held opposing players to just 44.6 percent shooting from the field.

He would only go on to up his play on defense under the bright lights of the playoffs, specifically when matched up against All-Star wing Brandon Ingram (who, mind you, is four-inches taller and measures in with a mega wingspan of 7-foot-3) during the first-round matchup between the Thunder and Pelicans where he held him to just 14.3 points per game on 34.5 percent shooting, a farcry from his 20.8 points on 49.2 percent shooting stats from the regular season.

On top of this, Dort finds himself coming off easily his best shooting season, as he cashed in on a highly efficient 39.4 percent of his attempts from distance while hoisting up 5.0 attempts per game (both career highs).

Someone who "can guard any player," as noted by coach Daigneault, and can stretch the floor on offense to bring reliability to a team's drive-and-kick abilities is truly invaluable on a playoff or championship hopeful.

Though the Thunder should not be considering the idea of trading any of these assets any time soon, there's a case to be made that Dort is as close to being tabbed "off limits" as anyone not named Shai, Chet, or Jalen.

Potential landing spots: Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers