The Oklahoma City Thunder are among the best teams in the NBA already but they’re sitting on a surplus of assets they can put to good use to maximize the outcome of this season. After suffering a major setback with an injury to Chet Holmgren, the franchise has room for proven high-level contributors in their rotation to set themselves up for success through the doldrums of the 82-game season.
The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly making every player on their roster available for trade, with the best asset for a winning team being their forward Cam Johnson. Johnson is a talented 6’8″ wing with an efficient scoring touch who could greatly boost the Thunder’s offense beyond Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
Trade Details
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Cam Johnson
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Kenrich Williams, Ousmane Dieng, 2025 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2027 First-Round Pick (DEN)
The Thunder can land Johnson by offering two first-round picks, which likely will price many fringe contenders out of the market given their own roster and pick situations. The Thunder have a surplus of assets and can use it effectively here to add a major offensive punch and size to a roster that desperately needs it.
The OKC Thunder Add A Polished Final Piece
Many people assume the Thunder will eventually bite the bullet and trade their smattering of assets for a superstar co-star for Shai. Personally, the Thunder haven’t shown any interest in doing that, encouraging Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren to be the No. 2 and 3 options behind Shai in the rotation. As a result, adding role-specialists like Johnson even at an extra cost is more beneficial to their overall roster philosophy and winning hopes.
Johnson is averaging 18.1 points and 4.3 rebounds this season, shooting 39.3% from three-point range on 7.8 attempts per game. He could be a starter alongside Williams in the frontcourt, especially with Isaiah Hartenstein returning from injury to take the starting center spot. Johnson would fit well off the bench as well, adding a more reliable scoring boost to their bench ahead of Aaron Wiggins.
He would arguably be the weakest defender on the Thunder but he has proven to be reliable enough on that end to execute at a high level within a team defense structure. He would make the Thunder even harder to guard offensively while the franchise retains the pieces to push the pace defensively, as they have against all opponents this season.
The Nets Say Yes To A Big Offer
The reality of the trade interest around Johnson also comes from contenders needing a player like him. But most contenders wouldn’t be willing to fork out two valuable first-round picks over a player like Johnson due to how much it would constrain their overall asset pool. This would eliminate teams like the Lakers and Suns, while the Warriors have been unwilling to pay a heavy price for star players let alone role-players.
The Thunder’s pick package would take priority over what most other contenders can offer, especially when you look at the solid players attached as well. Dieng is proving to be a multi-positional young player with a high ceiling, averaging 3.5 points and 2.6 rebounds this season.
Kenrich Williams is a great veteran presence on a roster and has been valuable to OKC in that role for years. As the Nets embrace their rebuild, a veteran like Williams on the bench could be a great move for them. He’s averaging 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds this season.
This offer might be the best to get for the Nets, who want to tear their roster down and build it from the ground up using the assets they get from what’s expected to be a fire sale for their roster.
The Thunder Solidify Their Spot As No. 1 In The West
The OKC Thunder might not have the No. 1 seed right now due to Holmgren’s injury forcing a 6’5″ Jalen Williams to play center, but Hartenstein’s recent return means they’re once again going to be formidable to any and all comers. Adding Johnson to be a stretch option to their starting unit or bench will be a luxurious addition that further extends them ahead of their rivals in the West.
The Nets are getting ready for a tankathon, and outside Cam Thomas, Johnson might be the player to bring home the biggest individual package. This deal would definitely suffice, as it’s unlikely for any contending team to offer more than two picks and a young player for Johnson. If there is a rival bidder, the Thunder could very easily outbid them by adding whatever asset they choose.
The Thunder would become virtually untouchable this season on paper but will hope that everything gels well on the court enough to bring the franchise their first-ever championship.
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