Well, Sam Presti has done it again. The Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired yet another first-round pick, although this time it will come at a huge price, as they just agreed to absorb Al Horford’s massive contract from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN was the first to break the news as per usual, adding that the Thunder will send recently-acquired Danny Green along with Terrence Ferguson to Philadelphia, while the Sixers will give them a ‘lightly-protected’ 2025 first-round pick and the 34th overall pick in tonight’s NBA Draft:
The Sixers are trading Al Horford and a first-round and second-round pick to the Thunder for Danny Green, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 18, 2020
The Sixers are sending a lightly-protected 2025 first-round pick and the 34th overall pick in tonight's draft, sources tell ESPN. The Thunder are also sending Terrance Ferguson to the Sixers with Green. https://t.co/sDCfPo4T4L
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 18, 2020
The Sixers are also sending the rights to Serbian point guard Vasilije Micic to the Thunder, sources tell ESPN. Micic, 26, is considered one of Europe's top point guards. https://t.co/NXEzcdyoTH
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 18, 2020
This way, the Oklahoma City Thunder will now have three picks in the top 34 of today’s Draft, according to Wojnarowski, as they had also previously acquired the 28th pick from Los Angeles Lakers in the Dennis Schroder trade.
The Thunder will have three picks in the top 34 tonight, including Nos. 25 and 28.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 18, 2020
Moreover, Sam Presti has now piled up 17 first-round picks from today through 2026, and it’s pretty obvious that he continues to embrace a full rebuild.
Horford will still be under contract through 2023 and will make an average of $27.5 million, meaning he’s not a likely buyout candidate for the Thunder. Needless to say, moving that kind of contract will be an almost impossible task, but if someone can do it, that’s Sam Presti.
