The Oklahoma City Thunder are definitely a magical team. They have cultivated many superstars, but they have been criticized for being unable to retain them. However, they are now reaping huge benefits from the departure of their superstars. Last summer, in two well-known transactions, two top NBA superstars, Paul George and Russell Westbrook, were sent away in exchange for a large amount of chips.
In the Paul George deal, the Thunder received three unprotected first-round picks from the Clippers, in 2022, 2024 and 2026; two first-round picks from the Heat. Round picks (unprotected in 2021, protected picks 1-14 in 2023), and the right to swap the Clippers' 2023 and 2025 first-round picks. That is, five first-round picks and two first-round pick swap rights, setting a historical record. At the same time, it also made it possible for Leonard to join the Clippers.
Moreover, the Thunder also received Alexander, who averaged 19.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this season, and Gallinari, who averaged 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. The tall defender Alexander, who is 1.98 meters tall, is only 21 years old. He has three years left on his contract and is worth US$13.59 million, which is cheap and good. In time, he will become an All-Star. And Gallinari is also very high-quality, averaging 40.5 three-point shooting percentage per game this year, and averaging as many as 3 three-pointers per game.
Gallinari’s one-year, $22.62 million contract expires this summer. It would be a wonderful thing if the Thunder could sign him to a three-year contract extension. Even Dennis Schroeder, a spurned backup guard, has averaged 19.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4 assists this season. Schroeder's three-point shooting percentage was 38.5 and he averaged 2 three-pointers per game. Both of these statistics were career highs. In the face of such performance, Schroeder's two-year contract with an annual salary of US$15.5 million has become so valuable.
Of course, we have to talk about the second transaction. A week after sending George away, the Thunder traded Westbrook away from the team in exchange for Chris Paul and the Rockets' first-round picks in 2024 and 2026, as well as the right to swap first-round picks in 2021 and 2025. In the face of such a transaction, many people questioned the Thunder because Paul is already too old and his contract is also very large. But even under such circumstances, Paul still slapped many people in the face with his performance of 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. He is still the omnipotent passing master.
Returning to the All-Stars after four years is also the best compliment for Paul. Who would have thought that at the age of 35, he would still be selected for the All-Stars in the Western Conference where there are many experts. With four outstanding giant-level core players, plus a series of remaining talented role players, the Thunder achieved a record of 34 wins and 22 losses, with a winning percentage of 60.7, ranking sixth in the Western Conference. The Thunder's current winning percentage is even higher than last season. Last season's winning percentage was 59.8, also ranking sixth in the Western Conference.
This summer, the Thunder, which has salary space and a lot of chips, has many ways to chase big-name stars, and making deals with other teams is a very good option. I have to say that the Thunder's management headed by Presti is really outstanding. Of course, the Thunder's coaching team also plays a major role in creating such an outstanding lineup. In the second half of the next season, the Thunder are likely to make greater progress.