bstein14 wrote:OKC is in incredible shape with a borderline MVP talent in SGA and a bunch of other good young guys with upside... They never really need to take less value they've already shown NBA teams are willing to give up a potentially better pick down the road for a pick now to grab the guy they want. Eventually OKC can hit some really good picks like that.
2024 picks that OKC Owns
#1 Houston's (top four protected, probably ends up in the 7-8 range)
#2 Utah's pick (top 10 protected, probably ends up in the 12-14 range)
#3 Their own pick, or the Clippers first round pick whichever is better they get to keep. (Prob in the 16-18 range)
Tons of teams would give up a future pick a few years down the road for those mid tier picks. Or they can always package a few together to get a higher lottery pick. Plus you always have the option if a team is doing a full rebuild and decides to move on from their star, to expediate that rebuild for the opposing team. Those 3 picks, plus 3+ other firsts for someone like Embiid, Towns, etc. Should not be hard at all for them to add another all-star level talent to that roster.
It feels like OKC has been stockpiling for years, when in reality they only had 2 losing seasons. They essentially played .500 ball in year #3.
Paul George is a hell of a player, but the trade that brought back SGA, Gallinari and 7x 1st Rounders kicked that rebuild into hyperdrive.