New York Knicks: A blockbuster 3-team trade to consider this offseason
By Simon Smith
OKC Thunder
While the Sixers entered last season as one of the title favorites, the OKC Thunder were widely expected to be flounder at the bottom of the standings following the departure of Russell Westbrook and Paul George.
Armed with a cache of future draft picks and a mishmash of a roster, the Thunder defied expectations and ultimately finished the season on equal footing with the Sixers – a first-round playoff exit. Led by All-Star point guard Chris Paul, the Thunder’s sublime chemistry and league-best performances in the clutch made them a formidable opponent all season.
But with the departure of head coach Billy Donovan, and the inevitable departure of Paul, the Thunder are set to enter a full-blown rebuild. In addition to Paul, the duo of Steven Adams and electric reserve Dennis Schroder are entering the final year of their contracts, making them increasingly appealing trade options.
And while Paul returned to prime form in being named to the All-NBA Second Team, his first appearance since the 2015-16 season, moving on the $85.6 million he’s owed over the next two seasons is clearly a very hard sell for Thunder general manager Sam Presti.
So with they’re clearly in the midst of a complete house cleaning, expect the Thunder to be one of the more prominent teams to be featured in trade talks in the coming weeks.