The Oklahoma City Thunder will head into the 2025-26 season coming off their first championship in franchise history, yet Sam Presti and company have to be far from satisfied. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams forming the NBA’s best young core, the Thunder already look built for sustained success.
Still, as history has shown, dynasties are only formed with solid roster moves, and Oklahoma City has the assets and flexibility to strengthen its team even further. Adding a pair of complementary players could keep the Thunder one step ahead of the rest of the Western Conference for years to come.
On the other side, the Dallas Mavericks are waiting for Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving to stay healthy alongside No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. But Dallas’ challenge has to be sustainability for long-term contention in terms of roster spots and cap space. A deal with the Thunder could give the Mavericks exactly that, allowing them to shed some salary while adding pieces that better fit their structure.
The result could be a rare win-win swap between two Western Conference powers with very different timelines but equally high aspirations. Let’s dive into an exciting trade proposal.
Proposed Trade Details
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: P.J. Washington, Max Christie
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Isiaha Joe, Ousmane Dieng, Nikola Topic, 2029 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick
OKC Thunder Add Two Win-Now Players To Catapult Them To Another Title
For the Thunder, this deal is all about maximizing their championship window as their stars reach their primes. P.J. Washington (14.7 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.3 APG) gives Oklahoma City exactly what they need in the frontcourt: a versatile forward who can defend multiple positions, stretch the floor, and provide valuable playoff experience.
His ability to guard wings and bigs makes him a seamless fit next to Chet Holmgren, while his catch-and-shoot reliability ensures that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams continue to operate offensively. Washington isn’t a star, but he’s a perfect sixth man for a title-contender.
Adding Max Christie (9.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.9 APG) only sweetens the deal for OKC, as the young guard provides depth, size, and defensive upside on the perimeter. Christie has flashed the ability to play rotation minutes in big moments, and his development alongside an established Thunder infrastructure could turn him into a high-level 3-and-D contributor.
For a team already loaded with playmakers, Christie doesn’t need to handle the ball much, just knock down open looks and hound opposing guards. By pulling the trigger on this trade, Oklahoma City makes a statement that they’re not only defending champions but also aggressive hunters of the next one.
If the Thunder were already the favorite in 2025-26, this deal only pushes them further ahead of the competition.
Dallas Mavericks Maintain Flexibility With Picks And Young Players
For the Mavericks, the logic behind this deal is about sustainability. Davis, Irving, and their co-stars may be ready to compete now, but Dallas also needs to maintain flexibility around its roster construction. By moving off P.J. Washington’s contract and sending out Max Christie, the Mavericks collect two more first-round picks (2029 and 2031) while also landing three young talents with real upside in Isiaha Joe, Ousmane Dieng, and Nikola Topic.
Isiaha Joe is a high-efficiency shooter (10.2 PPG, 41.2% 3-PT FG) who can thrive next to the stars right away. His ability to space the floor makes him a plug-and-play role player on offense, giving Dallas another perimeter weapon in lineups where Davis, Irving, and Flagg are surrounded by defenders.
Meanwhile, Ousmane Dieng (3.8 PPG, 2.2 RPG at 22 years old in 2024-25) represents a swing at upside since he’s long, athletic, and still just scratching the surface of what he could become. For a Mavericks team that has been searching for wings with size, Dieng is a worthwhile development project.
The most intriguing piece for Dallas, however, could be 20-year-old Nikola Topic, who was taken No. 12 overall in the 2024 Draft. Though recovering from injury, Topic projects as a big guard with vision and playmaking instincts, potentially offering Dallas a secondary creator down the line.
A Fascinating Trade That Makes The Thunder Massive Winners
While this trade has value on both sides, there’s no question that Oklahoma City comes away looking like the clear winner. They exchange prospects and draft assets for two players who can immediately contribute to winning another title, while keeping their championship core untouched.
Washington and Christie are not headline names, but they’re glue players who thrive in elite situations, turning great teams into dynasties. Dallas, for its part, doesn’t lose here since they gain picks, prospects, and cap flexibility. But the Mavericks’ immediate roster takes a hit by losing a versatile starter in Washington.
The gamble is that Davis’ and Irving’s brilliance, combined with internal growth, will cover the short-term gap while the new assets blossom. That’s a calculated risk, but it also opens the door for Dallas to be a major player in future star trades.
Still, when viewed through the lens of championship odds, the Thunder make a decisive leap. They’re already on top of the NBA world, and adding two more key players could allow them to dominate the West for the rest of the decade.
