The Oklahoma City Thunder are facing a roster crunch. They have too many players on their team that can play at an NBA level and they need to fix it by either waving or trading players. I wanted to talk about each player and whether they will stay or go.
Davis Bertans
Bertans was traded for this summer in a deal that allowed the Thunder to jump from number 12 to 10. Since he was acquired using cap space, Bertans can be packaged in a trade immediately, according to ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, and I think he will be packaged with a few young players in a trade for a bigger salary player. Maybe, the Thunder get involved in a Damian Lillard trade and take back either Tyler Herro and Kyle Lowry.
Verdict: Goes
Ousmane Dieng
The 13th pick in the 2021 draft, Dieng was traded to Oklahoma City on draft night for 3 future protected first round picks. The Thunder could look to make a trade using Dieng as a chip in a deal but I don’t think that happens.
Verdict: Stays
Lu Dort
Who doesn’t love Lu Dort? Un-drafted in 2019, Dort became a fan favorite in OKC after his awesome effort in the Thunder’s game 7 loss to the James Harden and Russell Westbrook led Rockets. Dort is becoming a really well rounded 3-and-D player as his game blossoms.
Verdict: Stays
Usman Garuba
Garbua was traded by the Rockets to the Hawks and then shipped by Atlanta to the Thunder. I do not expect Garuba to stick with the Thunder and he will be either traded or waived.
Verdict: Goes
Josh Giddey
Giddey is really really good and is an exciting part of Oklahoma City’s future.
Verdict: Stays
Shai Gilgous-Alexander
Lol
Verdict: Stays
Chet Holmgren
The number 2 pick of the 2022 draft is going to be OKC’s starting center next season, he isn’t going anywhere.
Verdict: Stays
Isaiah Joe
After being waived by the 76ers before the start of last season, Joe caught on with the Thunder and created a role for himself as a knockdown shooter, shooting 44% on 3’s last season.
Verdict: Stays
Tre Mann
Mann has had an up and down career and he just has not shown that he can be a part of a playoff rotation for a team at this point and with the amount of guards Oklahoma City has, I expect the Thunder to move on. However, the talent is there and I expect someone to take a flier.
Verdict: Goes
Vasilije Micic
The Thunder just signed Micic, a former EuroLeague MVP, to a 3yr/$23.5 million deal.
Verdict: Stays
Victor Oladipo
I don’t expect Oladipo’s return to the Thunder to last because of Oladipo’s torn left patellar, so he will either be used as salary in a trade or waived.
Verdict: Goes
Aleksej Pokusevski
I am not a huge fan of Poku and if the Thunder could find a trade, I would recommend it. However, I think he sneaks by and sticks around.
Verdict: Stays
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
I am a JRE believer and think he can be a good backup center in the league. The low field goal percentage is a concern but I think there is stuff to like and think he can make an impact on the Thunder in the future.
Verdict: Stays
Cason Wallace
Wallace was the number 10 pick in this year’s draft, he isn’t going anywhere.
Verdict: Stays
TyTy Washington Jr.
Washington has followed the same route as Garuba this summer, going from Houston to Atlanta to Oklahoma City, and just like Garuba, I do not expect him to stick around.
Verdict: Goes
Lindy Waters III
Another player on the bubble, Waters is an athletic wing who has some skills and size to him. The 3 ball needs to get better but there is something there.
Verdict: Stays
Aaron Wiggins
I like Aaron Wiggins. The North Carolina native’s opportunities were down last season and thus the numbers but all his percentages took leaps and it seems like he could carve out a role with the Thunder at some point.
Verdict: Stays
Jalen Williams
This Jalen Williams was drafted in the lottery by the Thunder last season and had an outstanding rookie season, he isn’t going anywhere.
Verdict: Stays
Jaylin Williams
The other Jaylin Williams started a lot of games at center for the Thunder last season but with Holmgren entering the mix, expect him to be a backup with Robinson-Earl.
Verdict: Stays
Kenrich Williams
Williams has shown throughout his career that he is a good player and with his defense and toughness, he has, impressively, created an NBA career for himself.
Verdict: Stays
The Thunder have a roster crunch and I could not think of a topic so I decided to write this. When will Lillard or Harden be traded?
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