Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 players OKC should trade next

Patrick Patterson, PF

Throughout the 2019-20 NBA season, the Oklahoma City Thunder will most likely be looking to drop their team salary below the luxury tax line, develop their young players and collect assets. One move could help accomplish all three: trading Patrick Patterson.

As currently constructed Oklahoma City’s salary is around $4 million north of the league’s $132.6 million luxury tax line. Now, the NBA office doesn’t send out the annual tax bill until the end of the regular season, giving the Thunder nine months to trim their fat.

If, for some reason, Oklahoma City doesn’t get below the tax line they will owe exponentially more money than the $4 million they are current over the line due to being repeating tax payers.

Conveniently, Patterson makes $5.7 million this next season. Trading him away — preferably into another team’s cap space — and taking little back in return could save the Thunder over double that dollar amount.

Then there is also the issue of developing the younger players.

Since arriving in Oklahoma City two years ago, Patterson has bounced in and out of the rotation due to his inconsistent play.

Just this summer the Thunder have signed Mike Muscala, drafted Darius Bazley and traded for Danilo Gallinari; three players who share the same position as Patterson.

While its nearly a foregone conclusion that Gallinari will start at power forward it seems like the team would like to also give Bazley a fair shake and help the lanky 6’9″ wing develop his game alongside the rest of the young core of the team.

Factor in Muscala competing for playing time and it’s hard to see where Patterson will earn minutes.

Financially and for the betterment of the long term development of the team trading Patterson seems like a no-brainer for the Thunder this season.