Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 bold predictions for 2019-20 NBA season
3. More picks, youth on the way
The Oklahoma City Thunder are entering a rebuild mode.
After trading Russell Westbrook and Paul George, it’s clear the team will bottom out and try to strike gold with young players, something general manager Sam Presti has a strong track record of doing.
Although they still have a collection of veterans on the team, the roster is already trending towards a youth movement. Of the 14 players on the team, seven of them have played less than four years in the NBA and five of them are 22 years old or younger.
The front office has also amassed an impressive collection of draft picks; 15 total first-rounders through 2026, including four pick swaps. For reference, players who will play one year in college before they declare for the 2026 draft are currently in the seventh grade.
If Presti has his way that list of young players and draft picks will grow even more this season. While the Western Conference seems more winnable than in years past, the Thunder don’t factor into the equation. Their window to compete is at least three to four years down the road.
With a handful of talented veterans currently on the team it makes sense for Oklahoma City to look to trade those players to other franchises currently in “win now” mode in return for young players and future assets.
The most recognized veteran the Thunder will try to trade is Chris Paul, but due to his age and contract size there is some dispute on whether or not Oklahoma City could recoup value in a deal centered around the future Hall of Famer.
If Presti and the team’s front office cannot get back assets for Paul, it’s fair to assume that they will keep him on roster.
Danilo Gallinari, on the other hand, is a trade asset that several teams will likely inquire about. The 31 year old forward is coming off his best season yet where he appeared in 68 games averaging 19.8 points, 2.1 assists and 6.1 rebounds while shooting a blistering 43.3 percent from 3.
One thing that current NBA teams can never be in short supply of is shooting, and Gallinari becomes even more attractive when you include his contract situation; he’s only owed $22.6 million this season, then his contract expires.
There is a legitimate possibility that multiple teams get into a bidding war for the sharpshooter, giving Presti leverage in trade talks to extract the maximum value he can.
Adding more draft picks to the Thunder’s war chest is attractive. It gives them that many more swings to try and hit a home run. However, they will target young players who are already in the league, too.
Maybe not already-established stars like Devin Booker or Karl-Anthony Towns, but rather first or second year players who have potential and are maybe flying under the radar.
Would Presti consider trading Gallinari to divisional rival Portland, which is in need of a veteran wing, in return for a package centered around Anfernee Simons?
Could the team talk Orlando — a fringe Eastern Conference playoff team in need of a high quality point guard — into a Paul trade where the Thunder receive the interesting case of Markelle Fultz?
While these scenarios may be long shots, Oklahoma City will be aggressive in pursuing future talent and assets this season, and they should add more to their treasure chest.