Asking Price for Thunder’s Trade Target Announced, What Will They Have to Give Up?

Asking Price for Thunder’s Trade Target Announced: What Will They Have to Give Up?

In the ever-competitive world of the NBA, every team is constantly exploring ways to improve its roster, whether through the draft, free agency, or trade. The Oklahoma City Thunder, a team with one of the most promising young cores in the league, is no exception. After years of rebuilding and accumulating assets, the Thunder have positioned themselves as a team on the rise, with the potential to contend for the playoffs and beyond in the coming seasons. As the 2024 NBA trade deadline approaches, rumors have been swirling about potential trade targets for the Thunder, and now the asking price for one of their primary targets has been revealed.

This article will take a deep dive into the Thunder’s trade ambitions, the player they are targeting, and the rumored asking price. We’ll explore the team’s current needs, the assets they can offer in return, and what a trade for this player might mean for the Thunder’s future. As Oklahoma City continues to grow, its management will have to decide whether making a move now is the right course of action or whether their future success depends on maintaining their flexibility.

The Oklahoma City Thunder: The Current State of the Team

Before analyzing the trade market and potential moves, it’s important to take a step back and assess the current situation of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder have been in a rebuilding phase since the departure of their superstar trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden in the early 2010s. Since then, the franchise has been focused on stockpiling young talent and accumulating draft picks to build for the future.

Led by Head Coach Mark Daigneault, the Thunder have embraced a positionless style of basketball, relying on versatility, speed, and defense. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has blossomed into one of the NBA’s premier players, and players like Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren (who was injured in his rookie season but is expected to make a major impact) provide a strong foundation for the future.

As of the 2023-2024 season, Oklahoma City is showing remarkable improvement, hovering around the playoff picture in the Western Conference. While their young core is still developing, there’s an increasing sense of optimism surrounding the Thunder. However, while their future looks bright, the team is not quite at the level of championship contention yet. The front office, led by General Manager Sam Presti, is likely evaluating options to accelerate the team’s timeline, particularly through the trade market.

What the Thunder Need: A Veteran Presence and Scoring Help

Despite the significant progress made by the young stars, there are still notable holes in the Thunder’s roster. The most glaring need for the team is a veteran presence to help guide the young players through the rigors of the NBA. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has proven himself as the leader of the team, a proven veteran who can step up in big moments, provide mentorship, and contribute offensively is a missing piece.

Additionally, while the Thunder have a strong defense and an emerging offensive game, the team could use another reliable scoring option. The offense is often reliant on Gilgeous-Alexander to create his own shot and score at will, but more offensive firepower could alleviate some of that pressure and provide the team with more balanced scoring.

For these reasons, the Thunder’s potential trade target is likely to be someone who can contribute immediately, provide veteran leadership, and give the team a secondary scoring option to take the load off Gilgeous-Alexander. The player in question is a proven star who could complement the young core and make a difference for Oklahoma City as they continue to pursue playoff contention.

The Trade Target: Who Is the Thunder After?

Several names have been thrown around in connection with potential trade targets for the Thunder, but the most talked-about player in recent reports is Pascal Siakam, the Toronto Raptors’ star forward. Siakam, who was named an All-Star and has been one of the most consistent performers for the Raptors over the past several seasons, has reportedly become available on the trade market. Given the Raptors’ position in the Eastern Conference and their uncertainty regarding their long-term future with Siakam, the forward has been the subject of trade rumors, with multiple teams reportedly interested.

Why Siakam? For the Thunder, Siakam offers exactly what they need—offensive firepower, versatility, and experience. At 6’9” with a versatile offensive game, Siakam can score inside, stretch the floor with his three-point shooting, and contribute in all areas of the game. His ability to play both forward spots, combined with his experience as a primary scorer, makes him an ideal fit for the Thunder’s lineup. Additionally, Siakam’s leadership qualities could be invaluable for a team with such a young core. His ability to take over in critical moments would complement Gilgeous-Alexander and help stabilize the offense when needed.

Given Siakam’s skill set and his position as one of the top forwards in the league, the Raptors are expected to command a significant return for him. The asking price for Siakam, as reported by various sources, is steep but not unreasonable, particularly for a team like the Thunder, who have a wealth of assets to offer.

The Asking Price for Pascal Siakam: What Will the Thunder Have to Give Up?

As of the latest reports, the asking price for Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors is said to be multiple first-round picks, a young player with high potential, and perhaps a veteran asset to make the deal work financially. This is in line with what we’ve seen for players of Siakam’s caliber in the past, where a team is looking for a substantial package of assets in return for a proven star.

1. Multiple First-Round Picks

The most notable component of the asking price is the demand for multiple first-round picks. The Raptors are looking for future draft capital in exchange for their All-Star forward, which makes sense given their current rebuilding trajectory. The Thunder, with their treasure trove of future picks (thanks to the trades involving Paul George and Russell Westbrook), are in a unique position to offer several first-rounders without gutting their current roster. Oklahoma City already has an impressive stockpile of first-round picks, including those from the Clippers, Rockets, and other teams, making them a prime candidate to meet this part of the asking price.

However, the question becomes: How many picks is too many? The Thunder cannot afford to give up every future pick in their arsenal, as they still need to maintain flexibility for future trades or additions to the roster. While the Thunder can offer multiple first-round picks, the front office will likely be cautious about how much of their future they are willing to trade away for Siakam, especially with the long-term development of their young players in mind.

2. A Young Player with High Potential

In addition to draft picks, the Raptors are looking for a young player with significant potential—someone who could develop into a star in the future. This is where the Thunder’s wealth of young talent becomes crucial. Players like Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, and even Chet Holmgren (though the latter is unlikely to be traded) have been mentioned as possible trade pieces. Of these, Giddey is perhaps the most likely candidate to be included in a deal for Siakam.

Giddey, with his elite passing ability and high basketball IQ, is one of the best young playmakers in the league. His size (6’8”) and unique skill set make him an intriguing player for any team. While he has shown great potential, his fit alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a topic of discussion, as both players need the ball in their hands to be most effective. Trading Giddey could allow the Thunder to acquire a star player like Siakam while also giving Giddey the chance to run an offense as the lead guard for another team.

Alternatively, if the Raptors prefer a different young player with a higher ceiling, Oklahoma City could look to include Jalen Williams. Williams, a versatile forward with an all-around game, has impressed early in his career and is seen as a potential star in the making. His development over the next few seasons could give the Raptors a valuable asset for the future, and including him in the deal would make the trade more appealing to Toronto.

3. A Veteran Asset for Financial Matching

Finally, in order to make the trade financially viable, the Thunder would need to include a veteran asset to match Siakam’s salary. The Raptors are not likely to take on a trade package consisting only of young players and draft picks, as they will need to remain competitive in the short term. This means the Thunder might need to include a veteran player who can contribute right away.

Possible candidates include Lu Dort, a tenacious defender who has developed a reliable three-point shot, or Aleksej Pokuševski, a versatile big man with untapped potential. Dort’s salary would make him a good financial match for Siakam, and his defensive prowess would be a valuable asset for Toronto. However, losing Dort would be a blow to the Thunder’s defense, especially as they are currently one of the top defensive teams in the league.

What Does This Trade Mean for the Thunder?

If the Thunder were to make a move for Pascal Siakam, it would represent a significant shift in their timeline. The addition of Siakam would likely vault the team into serious playoff contention, potentially giving them the firepower they need to compete with the top teams in the Western Conference. The trade would accelerate the team’s development by surrounding their young stars with a proven veteran presence.

However, the trade would also come with risks. Giving up multiple first-round picks and a promising young player would limit the Thunder’s future flexibility, and Siakam,