Does OKC Thunder's 'House Money' Mean No Pressure At Trade Deadline?
With the NBA's trade deadline fast approaching, teams across the league are gearing up for an all-out shebang of tradeable players and assets in what could become one of the most active transactional days in history.
Every year, the trade deadline becomes more of an event, with teams making deals right up to the official window's close — like the Kevin Durant-to-Phoenix trade that happened a year ago. And while that means a lot for much of the NBA, it's not the case for every single team.
In fact, the Oklahoma City Thunder stands as one of the squads least affected.
"Not all prospective dealers are created equal," CBS Sports wrote in a league-wide analysis of the upcoming trade deadline. "Take, say, the Thunder. It may well wind up finishing with the best record in the Western Conference even without a move, yet [its] three best players are 25, 22 and 21 years old, respectively."
Dec 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7), and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrate after Chet Holmgren scores a basket against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Paycom Center.
© Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, Chet Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have done incredibly well for their age, making up the majority reason why Oklahoma City sits atop the Western Conference at the 50-game mark, but that isn't a surprise any longer.
Instead of waiting to see how far it can last, the focus is now on what the team can do to ensure at least a Western Conference Finals berth. Adding a piece like Lauri Markkanen or another star could help the Thunder to propel itself forward, but it also isn't guaranteed.
Besides, it might not even need to be involved to find success. There's still time.
"[Oklahoma City] holds more tradable draft capital than any team in the NBA," CBS Sports continued. "This is more or less the definition of 'house money.'"
With ample draft picks and plenty of talent — not to mention growing experience — to go around, the Thunder isn't anywhere close to being in a worrying position. Not now, not in a week and not at the end of the season, even without a championship.
The Thunder is primed to be a contender for the next several years, and to the rest of the league, that being true puts it far ahead of schedule.
It just has to keep bringing in the wins.
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