Once again, the reigning NBA champion failed to defend its title, as the Oklahoma City Thunder dropped Game 7 at home to the San Antonio Spurs.
However, Mark Daigneault’s team is stacked with draft capital and promising young players, so they can make a big splash in the trade market this offseason.
As such, with all the rumors surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Thunder emerged as a potential nightmare destination for the rest of the league.
Did the team’s shocking playoff exit in the Western Conference Finals change it’s stance on the upcoming offseason?
The OKC Thunder may enter the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes
“League sources have long maintained that Oklahoma City would not take part in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes that will dominate the summertime conversation, but this sort of stunning finish is enough to re-spark that conversation.” Sam Amick of The Athletic reported.
While Antetokounmpo will be the biggest potential prize this offseason, it doesn’t sound like he will be the only target on the Thunder’s radar.
“Nothing should be off the table when the end goal wasn’t reached. There has long been chatter about the Thunder having interest in Cleveland big man Evan Mobley,” he added.
The Thunder will likely lose Isaiah Hartenstein due to the second apron, but they will get Thomas Sorber back after he missed his rookie season with an injury.
As for Mobley, he would likely take Chet Holmgren’s place, since the former Gonzaga star left plenty to be desired in the Western Conference Finals vs. Victor Wembanyama.
Whatever the case, this summer will be crucial to Sam Presti and the Thunder, and they must figure out how to surround two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with the pieces he needs to get them back to the mountaintop.
