RealGM

Minnesota sends: KAT, top 5 protection of 2029 pick is removed, right to swap 2030 pick
Minnesota receives: Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, $13m TPE,

Why for Minnesota: Cut a lot of luxury tax spending while getting better offensively. Meanwhile, they should be able to keep Markkanen due to having his Bird Rights to give him an extra year and Markkanen's max is lower than KAT's, saving them even more money. Markkanen can replace KAT's production as well. Sexton is a high level scorer who should improve their average offense and can be protected by their elite defense.

OKC sends: Kenrich Williams, Ousmane Dieng, Lu Dort, best 2026 pick, best 2027 pick
OKC receives: KAT

Why for OKC: Retain its elite shooting identity while adding the size to defend Jokic and Embiid in potential matchups. KAT's contract has no problems for OKC for two years and they can move on from the deal after the extensions kick in as they have enough assets.

Utah sends: Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton,
Utah receives: Top 5 protection of 2029 Minnesota pick removed, right to swap 2030 pick with Timberwolves 2030 pick, best 2026 OKC pick, best OKC 2027 pick, Lu Dort, Kenrich Williams, Ousmane Dieng

Why for Utah: Blow up the roster to tank in 2025 while getting good picks.

Easy yes for Minnesota. ANT is friends with Sexton and Markkanen replaces much of what Towns provides.

OKC owes more

OKC owns 28 swap with DAL, not the pick itself.

Not enough for Utah. Really bad for Utah.

Adjusting based on replies, may have adjusted too far in favor of Utah though...

I think UTA would prefer Giddey and OKC would prefer to keep Dort.

Way too good for MIN. If that's what it took for Markkanen and Sexton OKC would just cut MIN out. But I'm not convinced they'd do it either with how cohesive their team is (and how juicy those picks could be right at a time when they'll need solid contributors on rookie deals)

Trading KAT for Sexton and an expiring Markkanen seems like an incredibly bad idea for the Wolves. There is a very real scenario where the Thunder win a championship and Markkanen leaves after next season. This should be a very easy no for Minnesota.

wolves_89 wrote:Trading KAT for Sexton and an expiring Markkanen seems like an incredibly bad idea for the Wolves. There is a very real scenario where the Thunder win a championship and Markkanen leaves after next season. This should be a very easy no for Minnesota.

Wolves will be able to offer one more year than everyone else and would be at a huge advantage.

HadAnEffectHere wrote:

wolves_89 wrote:Trading KAT for Sexton and an expiring Markkanen seems like an incredibly bad idea for the Wolves. There is a very real scenario where the Thunder win a championship and Markkanen leaves after next season. This should be a very easy no for Minnesota.

Wolves will be able to offer one more year than everyone else and would be at a huge advantage.

Minnesota would still have the same financial issues that are the only reason KAT is even being discussed in trades. The 2025-26 season is by far the toughest year in terms of payroll and a re-signed Markkanen ($45.6M estimated max salary) plus Sexton actually adds over $10M in salary that year. If the Wolves can't afford to pay KAT they won't be able to afford Markkanen+Sexton.

Scenario has been brought up a few times.

Majority think Towns > Markkanen in trade value. Sexton seems to close that gap. But…

Wolves just can’t risk losing all assets acquired from a Towns trade if Markkanen bolts.

Plus, OKC probably goes after Markkanen direct - instead of Towns.

In addition, Wolves trading Towns to a western conference team is hard to swallow. Even more cringe to OKC powerhouse - and really a deal breaker.