The Kevin Durant trade that could immediately turn the OKC Thunder into a dynasty

0
10
The Kevin Durant trade that could immediately turn the OKC Thunder into a dynasty

NBA Analysis proposes a Kevin Durant trade that will give the Oklahoma City Thunder a chance to form a dynasty for years to come.

The OKC Thunder have the chance to win their first NBA championship since moving from Seattle. It could mark the start of a new era in the franchise’s history.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been setting records in the NBA Finals that few could have expected him to achieve ahead of the series.

Of course, the series is far from over. Even Jalen Williams said the Thunder must improve as the NBA Finals go on.

But if the Indiana Pacers can pull off the upset, something Gary Payton said was possible if they won on the road, where do the Thunder go from there?

Well, we believe a move for a former star could elevate them to an untouchable level for years to come.

Photo by Kelsey Grant/Getty Images

If the Thunder fail to win the NBA championship, they should look to re-tool their roster by making a move for Kevin Durant.

Durant is almost guaranteed to leave the Suns, so why not make a return to the team he first played for in the NBA and compete for a championship? A possible deal between the two sides could look like this:

This trade would get the Thunder a brilliant scoring outlet who can be the first or second option on the team, depending on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s approach.

It would also allow Jalen Williams to take a backseat and provide scoring as the third option while playing excellent defense.

Additionally, it makes sure that the Thunder don’t lose much size at the power forward position, as Kevin Durant at 6’10” is just a few inches shorter than Chet Holmgren, who stands at 7’1″. Plus, Durant is a far more explosive offensive option than the young big man.

As for the Phoenix Suns, they will be thrilled with the assets they get here. The Suns gave up a lot of talent and picks for Durant.

Chet Holmgren was the second overall pick in the NBA Draft just a few years ago. And having played two full seasons on a competitive roster, he has learned how to play a brand of winning basketball.

At just 23 years of age, he can develop into a superstar-level player as the Suns rebuild around Devin Booker.

With the other assets, perhaps the Suns look to move players like Luguentz Dort, Ousmane Dieng, and Aaron Wiggins for more picks as they tilt fully into a rebuild.

Nikola Topic can be another foundational piece for years to come, as he is just 19 years old. And of course, the two first round picks, crucially from the Utah Jazz and the LA Clippers, will allow the Suns to be an active name in the NBA Draft over the next two years.

Chet Holmgren drives the ball while Kevin Durant guards him during a game between Phoenix Suns and the Oklahoma City Thunder
Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images

Kevin Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016 to much fan criticism. In the years since, the sour feelings between the two sides seem to have dwindled.

Durant has spoken highly of this current Thunder squad. So, a chance to join them and play high-level basketball with them would surely be a dream.

Most importantly, it would allow KD to fulfill a goal he had when he entered the NBA and win the championship with the franchise that drafted him.

The Thunder are not currently one of the top destinations to land Durant this offseason. But a possible failure in the NBA Finals could allow them to go in this direction.

One would imagine this would be the final stint of Durant’s career. And what better way to go than by establishing a dynasty and competing for, if not winning, multiple championships.

Previous articleMan Utd to make huge bid for “phenomenal” star
Next articleMatt Brown: Patchy Mix found out UFC is ‘different f*cking animal … what you do outside the UFC just doesn’t mean jack sh*t’

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here