After clinching the top seed in the Western Conference standings and advancing to the second round of the playoffs all while being the youngest team in league history ever to accomplish both feats, the OKC Thunder seem to be in a prime position where they can build their way up to being the league’s next great dynasty.
In possession of superstar and rising star cornerstones in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren all of the age of 25 and younger, along with stud supporting players such as Alex Caruso, Isaiah Joe, and recent free agency signing Isaiah Hartenstein, coach Mark Daigneault’s arsenal already has the makings of being as strong as any other team’s across the league.
Of course, in this day and age, established star power reigns supreme (just ask the NBA Champion Boston Celtics, who had a total of five established All-Stars within their rotation), and, should Oklahoma City wish to cement their status as a true title favorite heading into 2024-25 and beyond, some may argue that perhaps adding one more stud contributor may be necessary.
To Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey, there’s one blockbuster trade, in particular, that is believed to provide the Thunder exactly this and, in turn, could turn them from an up-and-coming talented squad to, in his words, a true “superteam.”
For some time now, the Thunder have found themselves mentioned within the rumor mill as being a possible landing spot for the likes of All-Star big man Lauri Markkanen, and, per recent rumblings, it is believed that the Utah Jazz could consider the idea of moving on from their current cornerstone for a “great, great” price.
Thanks to their royalty of riches, Oklahoma City has the means in both young prospects and draft capital to meet and perhaps even surpass this threshold mentioned above, and Bailey’s blockbuster proposal includes both of these kinds of assets being shipped outbound to both Utah and the third-party San Antonio Spurs.
Citing their presumed desires to start cultivating a win-now mentality, Bailey believes the Thunder should strongly consider pursuing more ready-made stars this offseason to add to their already impressive roster, and, considering they have several core commodities in Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren still attached to rookie-scale contracts, Sam Presti and company possess the “opportunity to be ultra-aggressive” with their courses of action this summer.
Because of this, a deal of this magnitude is being argued as a worthwhile move to make.
“The resulting Thunder rotation would be a nightmare for the rest of the league to defend. A starting five of SGA, Caruso, Williams, Markkanen and Holmgren could play a dynamic, five-out attack and would have tons of length and athleticism on the other end.
That group would quickly become less affordable. Markkanen’s below-market deal expires after 2024-25, and Williams and Holmgren will both be up for lucrative extensions next summer, too. But a hallmark of competing in this new CBA may be taking one- or two-year shots when you have them.”
– Andy Bailey
Lauri Markkanen was a FORCE in the Jazz’s riveting win over the Clippers 💪
35 PTS
12 REB
5 3PM pic.twitter.com/OuTZTW8nqy
— NBA (@NBA) October 28, 2023
One of the game’s most talented big men, since making his way to the Jazz two seasons ago and being given the green light to serve as a foundational piece within a competent organization’s rotation, Markkanen has found himself posting sensational all-around averages of 24.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game all while shooting 49.0 percent from the floor and 39.0 percent from distance.
With his 7-foot, 240-pound frame coupled with his inside-out game, his addition to Oklahoma City’s frontcourt would provide them with an impressive combination of size and skill — something they severely lacked last season, especially when facing the more physically dominant Mavericks in the semifinals –, while his age of 27 years old fits into the club’s current timeline.
Perhaps the hardest part of this hypothetical exchange would prove to be the loss of beloved 3-and-D wing Luguentz Dort, who would be shipped out to the Spurs in the transaction to pair up with former Thunder teammate Chris Paul and current phenom Victor Wembanyama as they look to make their way toward a playoff push next season.
While the loss of the 25-year-old would be challenging from a personal standpoint, with the recent addition of Alex Caruso along with the remaining talents of Cason Wallace and Isaiah Joe, his absence, though upsetting to see, could easily be made up for with these ballers from an on-court and production standpoint.
All of this to secure a tantalizing starting five of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, (literally insert anyone here), Jalen Williams, Lauri Markkanan, and Chet Holmgren while keeping the vast majority of their depth in the process — Where do the Thunder sign up?!
Source link : https://thunderousintentions.com/posts/okc-thunder-superteam-blockbuster-lauri-markannen-idea
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Publish date : 2024-07-02 18:00:02
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