Why the OKC Thunder Can Be the NBA Trade Market's 'Boogeyman'

While there aren't likely to be many moves made by the Oklahoma City Thunder this trade season, the pure amount of assets and youth makes it a possibility. And for teams eyeing some of the league's top role players, that's a scary prospect.
Why the OKC Thunder Can Be the NBA Trade Market's 'Boogeyman'
Why the OKC Thunder Can Be the NBA Trade Market's 'Boogeyman' /
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The unofficial beginning to the NBA trade season is officially here, and as such, it opens another world of basketball-based excitement.

Teams can now begin making their calls and pursuing disgruntled veterans, up-and-coming young stars or even stronger role players to pair with their own stars. The Oklahoma City Thunder are no exception, though it sits in an interesting position. 

There aren't too many moves it might make. Its entire philosophy the past few seasons has been to accrue draft capital and take the time to develop young players, which it can say it has successfully done. But even still, the sheer amount of picks and youth it has makes it hard to ignore this trade season. Regardless of its intentions.

"After years of dormancy, the boogeyman is finally ready to crawl out the 29 closets it's been hiding in and ruin everybody's trade fun," CBS Sports wrote of Oklahoma City. "The Thunder is not just a buyer. It's a monopoly, the sole proprietor of this trade market by virtue of its unprecedented collection of draft picks and young talent. No trade can be made without its tacit approval because no competitor has the means to outbid it for any player on the market. 

"If the Thunder decides it wants someone, it can get them."

It's a scary prospect. If you're a team looking to crack the trade market by bringing in a few key players, you have to be weary of the Thunder simply because of what it's able to spend. Ending up in a bidding war with it isn't much better either. The two outcomes are either paying more than originally expected, or losing out entirely. 

There is comfort to be found in the fact that Oklahoma City likely won't be too active throughout the trade season, but it's always a possibility. 

So, what could that look like?

"At least seven spots in the rotation are stone-cold locks," CBS Sports continued. "Nothing is dislodging Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Josh Giddey, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace or Isaiah Joe. Those last few reserve spots are up for grabs, but the Thunder have so many young players theoretically capable of growing into them that they might not even bother trying for a veteran." 

Bingo. The rotation is and has been set for the Thunder all season. A few recent woes were bound to happen, but there isn't anything major sticking out as a long-term problem, thus, there isn't a major move Oklahoma City would likely make. 

The stars have aligned for the Thunder this season, and it's shown. Gilgeous-Alexander is the unrivaled front man, Holmgren is one of the most unique rookies in his class and a mixture of starting and bench production have made it a well-rounded team. 

In other words, things are positive for Oklahoma City. The trade deadline likely won't be too active of a time, but because of its assets, it could be.

That's the scary part for the league. Enter "The Boogeyman."


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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a 19-year-old sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He is currently a sophomore at the University of Missouri pursuing a degree in journalism with a sports writing and reporting emphasis, along with a sports analytics certificate. He serves as a staff writer and reporter for the SI/FanNation network covering collegiate sports, pro football and pro basketball.